Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs committee sets Monday meeting schedule, hears UCA Aviation Academy groundbreaking invitation

The Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs Committee met for an organizational session (date not specified), agreed to hold regular committee meetings on Mondays 15 minutes after the Senate adjourns, introduced committee staff, and received an invitation to a groundbreaking for the University of Central Arkansas Aviation Academy at Conway Airport.

Senator Ricky Hill, chair, opened the session: "Let's call the meeting to order. Glad to see everyone here today." Hill introduced Vice Chair Senator Dzming and led introductions of committee members and staff. "This will be emailed to us because we have to leave this in our file and so Ms. Jessica will email that to us," Hill said, referring to a contact sheet in members' materials.

The meeting established a recurring meeting pattern for the early part of the session, with the committee agreeing to meet on Mondays "15 minutes upon adjournment after session," and to leave scheduling adjustments to the discretion of the chair as workload dictates. Committee staff present and introduced included Jessica Whitaker, assistant director of the research division and committee analyst; Marissa White, assistant to Whitaker; and Zach Cumby, drafting attorney for the committee. Members discussed typical start times (the committee commonly meets at 9:30 a.m.) and the practical need to accommodate members who travel long distances.

Senator Tyler Deese (representing Sodom Springs, Benton/Washington County) described transportation as a priority for his district. Other members asked that meeting notices and the attendee contact sheet be circulated; Whitaker was asked to email the materials to members.

Senator Bryant (first name not specified) invited committee members to a groundbreaking for the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Aviation Academy at Conway Airport, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. next Monday, and said the governor would attend. The committee asked staff to send a reminder email about the event to members who were not present. The chair noted that official photographs cannot be scheduled until after the 27th and that the Secretary of State's office handles photo scheduling.

Members also briefly identified future technology topics the committee may address, including cryptocurrency. "We will be dealing with crypto," Hill said, noting it may come before the committee this session.

The chair closed the meeting after confirming the Monday meeting plan and asking staff to handle follow-up logistics; no formal roll-call votes were recorded on the record.

The committee adjourned after staff and member introductions and scheduling items.