[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6594706,"mediaKeyId","3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf","parentId",3091886,"title","Committee considers patient-access changes for medical marijuana; delivery and drive-through provisions defeated on roll call","audioSeconds",566,"startMs",3701300,"endMs",4268280,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf&start=3701&end=4268","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf/thumbnail_3701300.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6594706/Arkansas/Committee-considers-patient-access-changes-for-medical-marijuana-delivery-and-drive-through-provisions-defeated-on-roll-call","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594706-44faf31ce50bdb539f150c030dab988b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083135&Signature=lzOmNnQXjy2ut6j2Kr37YZkcKyERAiiIeY88D4GhaKnkTTRfYKhlyf2q364eb2dkd4qLvVl5620amlboqy6rbNkiYrwztxlq3TS8ggIWN6oJl8K3T~OC7VKf-KBTckbpgVCUGApGlGyeD4hUbO4sCz-uA41xz7o3sRE~hIVNguOCnLhOTeyT8ikswQOxDgjCU0FP7sP9SLgSlb0OB-q7k~zD0zX1EmWgpM7Mzg4Qk~5dNJb40E7x-1ulsVa5YCNfwxHJCGLCYDTZSCKLOHrw2Asr9M3d7f9cDztVta~aFcJROGHEtuIhpUvTIg8e8ZOevqgTJbxj~9fy5CCj431Ihw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SENATE","date","2025-04-03T10:00:00Z","article","Sen. Joshua Bryant presented House Bill 1889, which the sponsor described as a patient-focused modernization of the Arkansas medical marijuana program. Key provisions included authorization for invitation-only tours of dispensaries for stakeholders, allowing a drive-through window for preordered dispensing similar to pharmacy models, and reducing delivery driver staffing from two employees to one if GPS tracking and security protocols are in place.

Bryant said the changes aim to increase transparency and access for elderly and mobility-impaired patients: \"Medical marijuana patients are typically elderly, disabled, mobility impaired and entering a dispensary can sometimes be challenging,\" he said, noting the drive-through model had been used during the COVID era. The proposal also would allow one person to conduct deliveries when vehicles and staff meet specified security and tracking requirements.

David Potter from the enforcement division (ATC/commission enforcement) said the present rules require verification that the recipient is the registered patient or the patient's caregiver and that deliveries are tracked in the state's system. He told the committee that verification and tracking requirements are already in place and that dispensaries currently operate with two-person delivery teams; the bill would allow a single driver provided the statutory security requirements are met.

An industry representative, Bill Paschal (Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association), testified that delivery staffing costs are substantial—about $50,000–$70,000 per driver—and that allowing a single driver with additional security measures would reduce costs for small businesses.

The committee moved the bill, but a roll-call vote recorded in the transcript showed mixed yes and no votes and the clerk announced the bill did not pass.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SENATE - Apr 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A bill to modernize aspects of the medical marijuana program—allowing dispensary invitation-only tours, drive-through dispensing for preordered patient purchases, and reducing delivery-driver requirements from two employees to one with security measures—was presented; the committee rejected the bill on a roll call.","taxTitle","AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",21184,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594711,"Committee rejects moratorium bill that would pause new wind construction pending study",176,3359140,3535610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf&start=3359&end=3535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf/thumbnail_3359140.jpg","/articles/6594711/Arkansas/Committee-rejects-moratorium-bill-that-would-pause-new-wind-construction-pending-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594711-f991ccc94cdbe781a494e25a66672322/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083135&Signature=oTpKa03xu0VQOMQHwBhKSA5Bqnfwb4UHLIvJT9jJrHP9BpxTnoDe9SfIzUgxOV-oE8KKnW-kQjdh36Iyy4HmMETFb7VPw8oO7IW0bU0nlOqQuG72Euq1vYKhBjYSIi0DssrkVoBFhTBgx8dXO0Pslb7vvc5p4BJ0Nvkna2YZjVBdrDPqmtT4Sq31OPnxQzu37aJAb8VRMJyJQogkeQ5bw2eK7fFhmJ72x2mWURvm8eLx7wuyedQhfGbf7eGOyJ65FcTYI05nlufQf8xKBLLVrF5aIYMaB7D2R0NqPzArNl6fmjJDlF~7yoVVZmNU~WjVY-Yog4YfuVUgTAzwvPf3bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposed moratorium that would pause construction of new wind turbines while a study is completed failed to pass the Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee.

The sponsor (Senator identified as the bill sponsor on the record) described the bill as a two-year moratorium during which a study would examine impacts to waterfowl and other birds, while exempting projects already \"in process.\" When a committee member asked what \"in process\" meant, the sponsor said it meant \"as soon as they turn dirt. That's the way the bill reads.\"

Simon Mahan, executive director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association, testified in opposition to a broad moratorium while saying his trade association is not opposed to studies: \"One of the things in this study I mentioned earlier ... we're not afraid of a study. We think a study could be helpful,\" Mahan said. He emphasized evidence is limited that turbines kill large numbers of waterfowl and that birds often relocate locally rather than being killed, and cautioned about investment and local economic impacts, describing typical project investments in the hundreds of millions.

After testimony and sponsor remarks urging protection of duck habitat, the committee moved the bill. The motion to pass failed on a roll-call vote recorded in the transcript: several senators voted no and others voted yes; the clerk recorded the roll call sequence before announcing the motion failed.","A sponsor sought a temporary moratorium and study on new wind projects to evaluate impacts on waterfowl and raptors; a trade group testified against broad moratorium effects and the committee’s motion to pass the bill failed on roll call.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594716,"Committee advances proposal to create a short-term fund for water and wastewater projects",2046,1271110,3317170,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf&start=1271&end=3317","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf/thumbnail_1271110.jpg","/articles/6594716/Arkansas/Committee-advances-proposal-to-create-a-short-term-fund-for-water-and-wastewater-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594716-5832b902bc19c891d3b3e110c52a4c50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083135&Signature=G8JNBRVv3srsyMumCdlGFFzoS6ORcKwOtvoVpC8WOptbWDwU-271cI8yx~uDmfDlPDLuI2egC5f~mYH0WGYXPShMqM3q4IxGQdYj~UPo3Z1tzMXHq6agUSqmSbb4oMoqZnVApOKQTNM4fAnUGC~Q3k5SzMDiQKUTlH4o5FXsXjTwvocNB8MrGZKKb7hkFPajJV7sJQPJjg-k8ycScgn54yw5T0NH~1mwP77UDJda9tVIsH5Mja29rMx9rspqxjQ~1H31O366gBr4QeeftD-UR0RZ4S8xU5tifl3hParb-VM4rwifQHb6DTojUSd86FgaEgBGyPeRpNVoVtrSGDr7dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A bill to authorize a short-term fund to support water and wastewater infrastructure projects was presented to the Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee as House Bill 1681.

The bill sponsor (presented in committee as a state representative) told the committee the measure responds to large, documented needs for water and sewer repairs and upgrades across the state. The sponsor summarized prior surveys and higher estimates of need: \"When we started looking at this, 4 years ago, this was a $5,000,000,000 tag ... in 2024 ... it was 9,000,000,000 plus in water sewer or water and wastewater needs in Arkansas,\" the sponsor said. The sponsor described a structure that would split funds between larger, higher-capacity projects (requiring local matching) and smaller rural projects that would receive a larger share of grant assistance, and said projects must be shovel-ready or have an ability to start within the first year.

Jared Dismaine (senator) and other members asked procedural and funding questions about whether the bill sets a specific appropriation and how funding would be sourced. The sponsor said the bill sets up a fund and program structure but does not itself specify a single funding transfer in the statute; negotiations remain under way on whether to use interest earnings, surplus, or other permitted revenues. Dismaine described the bill as properly structured as a statutory funding vehicle rather than a direct appropriation and said any transfer of funds from surplus or reserve accounts would still require a legislative vote.

Representatives of water utilities testified in favor. Daniel Dawson, general manager of Searcy Water Utilities, described rising construction and equipment costs and the impact on small systems, saying an engineering estimate for a small replacement rose from about $1 million to roughly $4 million, and a later bid at $5.6 million forced the utility to accept the higher cost. Michael Clayton, executive director for North Little Rock Wastewater, and Heath Ward, executive director of Springdale Water Utilities, spoke in support and described workforce and contractor shortages that have increased project costs. Testimony emphasized that targeted state funding could help communities meet immediate repairs and qualify projects for leveraging federal funds.

Committee members debated whether funding decisions should come before the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) or whether the statute's rulemaking and reporting language provides sufficient oversight. Several senators voiced concern about cash flow and the state's restricted reserve accounts; sponsors said the bill was written so program rules would be promulgated through the Agricultural and Natural Resources Commission with rule approval by ALC and regular reporting.

After committee discussion and testimony, the committee voted to pass the bill. The transcript shows the motion carried and the bill passed out of committee.","Lawmakers and water-system managers told the Senate committee a proposed fund (House Bill 1681) would help counties and cities address urgent water and wastewater infrastructure needs; the committee voted the bill out after testimony from utilities and debate over funding sources and program structure.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594721,"Committee approves civil penalty authority, body-condition scoring for equine cruelty investigations",441,279920,721460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf&start=279&end=721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf/thumbnail_279920.jpg","/articles/6594721/Arkansas/Committee-approves-civil-penalty-authority-body-condition-scoring-for-equine-cruelty-investigations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594721-fe48935010c8da6f3dd59405c554e7f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083135&Signature=b7HtO6Fk3urPYcDsL-sAtTFLwcqJ8NiwmMGnZJpc94WftiC92T5JGQcIP8mhw0sXlByHXXbJcFibCwKJrhDWkUZzCgp1Holc~v0POG854Kae8-kDhobEqYL0hW9KZisUVUGcSRR7AtYYnDIg5UjCQG~q8WKRhBVAjYx~NgjoLSuFbMJKg-9JynsWWZI-H3iwiDiQEkiuzlksCeWOWnFXdHbSl7QvHV8Qe7f0gEA7i1YjV-nL~RQi~BA4bqO3XGJVJZlesIK2Fetp69ly5Pf~nHlIShXRBqOn5bfc2ZFw9XtYqsZJh4fpzZPfuwelAQweQo7u7vMaCrVbMYtiR4vysA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Missy Irvin presented a bill to add civil enforcement tools for equine cruelty cases and to require veterinarian body-condition scoring for cases under the Department of Agriculture's jurisdiction.

Patrick Fisk, director of Livestock and Poultry at the Department of Agriculture, told the committee the new civil penalties will supplement existing criminal penalties and permit the department to address extreme cases it previously could not: \"What this bill does is it allows us to put civil penalties, and also adds further direction on how we're gonna to address the issue, i.e., those, have a veterinarian do a body body score,\" Fisk said. Fisk said the department has two veterinarians on staff who could perform that assessment.

Committee members asked about the fine amount and enforcement. Sen. Scott asked whether the up-to-$5,000 fine aligns with other states; Fisk said the penalty is in line with department penalties and that criminal penalties remain available. A committee member raised scenarios involving aging horses and natural inability to gain weight; Fisk and Irvin both emphasized a common-sense approach and that the veterinarian body-condition score is meant to distinguish abuse from unavoidable medical or age-related conditions.

After questions and no public testimony, the committee voted on the bill. The motion to pass carried by voice vote and the bill passed out of committee as amended.","The Senate committee passed a bill giving the Department of Agriculture authority to impose civil penalties up to $5,000 for equine cruelty cases and to require veterinarian body-condition scoring in investigations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594726,"Senator Irvin wins amendment to fair-district bill to add Tri-County Fair and move Independence County",243,36250,279485,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf&start=36&end=279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091886-20a04a5e4c82cc7e81b98cccab40c3bf/thumbnail_36250.jpg","/articles/6594726/Arkansas/Senator-Irvin-wins-amendment-to-fair-district-bill-to-add-Tri-County-Fair-and-move-Independence-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594726-901b5012fcef4abc448e2687046b6127/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083135&Signature=YExozQAnVcnnvhiWlK~wtwZgxxIC9xR-SzQGObdhTyIuRXOauoLnmsTkykgjcDJ4VLYZnTTaDvC1VBt5yECh7yLOPYfKCYWrirQiiC-k7YwOgmFqrIeT~hJmyf926rYUmtrqOVHS1DQnsGdcFNoNU79ES1f3SQteiOSIB~50zQ~KUCGivb~wT-NHLS3xdNVIOmaIDvUpNgmmoehO5MwcV9vT~BeX2NgXzC84DkVVe9Hmy9AyYEb4LP5g~ClMGzPL9Tka2Z9k2wPdPTJHod41RwKMzHY5hX4B6fiGi3GHw599kaCHJF1ft49mdEBSQ9MgrL5AB59S2b6A4vtHoUJzkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Missy Irvin, sponsor of a bill updating district listings for county fairs, successfully amended the measure to add the Tri-County Fair and to move Independence County from the North Central to the Northeast district.

Irvin told the Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee she had heard concerns from local fair organizers and public commenters and adjusted the draft accordingly. \"We're adding ... the Tri County Fair. Lee County, Monroe County, and Phillips County make up that Tri County Fair. They do receive funding as well,\" Irvin said. She also said White County Fair asked to change a provision from \"review and approval\" to \"review only,\" which was incorporated into the engrossed bill.

Committee Chair (unnamed in transcript) asked for questions and, after no speakers requested public comment, recognized Irvin to close. Irvin said she appreciated the work of volunteers and intended the bill to make fair administration simpler: \"We really are trying to make this as simple as we possibly can for them to continue to do what they're doing.\"

Sen. Stone seconded the motion to adopt the amendment; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote. The committee later moved the bill as amended; the motion to pass as amended was seconded by Sen. Gilmore and carried by voice vote.

No formal roll-call vote on the final passage was recorded in the transcript; the committee recorded the passage by voice vote. The transcript shows no outstanding objections and no further amendments after the amendment to add the Tri-County Fair and move Independence County.","The Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee adopted an amendment to a fair-district bill that adds the Tri-County Fair and moves Independence County from North Central to Northeast for district listing; the amended bill passed committee by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee considers patient-access changes for medical marijuana; delivery and drive-through provisions defeated on roll call

Committee rejects moratorium bill that would pause new wind construction pending study

Committee advances proposal to create a short-term fund for water and wastewater projects

Committee approves civil penalty authority, body-condition scoring for equine cruelty investigations

Senator Irvin wins amendment to fair-district bill to add Tri-County Fair and move Independence County