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Senate Judiciary Committee adopts written rule on amendments, sets meeting schedule and hears agency introductions
Summary
At an organizational meeting in Room 171, the Senate Judiciary Committee adopted its committee rules (including language allowing limited verbal technical amendments), set regular meeting days and heard agency and association representatives introduce staff who will attend hearings this session.
Senator Alan Clark, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, opened the committee's organizational meeting in Room 171 and the panel adopted its rules, set its regular meeting schedule and heard introductions from prosecutors, public defenders and other agency and advocacy representatives.
The committee approved its rules following a brief motion and second. "All amendments to bills must be in writing. Verbal amendments are not permitted," Clark said, noting the committee's rule expressly allows "minor technical verbal amendments" in practice. The motion to approve the rules was seconded by Senator Matt McKee and carried on a voice vote; the transcript records the action as "motion carried" but does not record a roll-call tally.
Adopting the rules establishes the committee's procedures for the session and clarifies the limited circumstances under which staff and members may accept verbal technical changes. Clark emphasized staff support, identifying Colby Little as the committee analyst and Emily Jamieson as committee assistant; he noted committee attorney Caitlin Bennett was not present at the meeting.
The committee set its regular meeting time for Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in Room 171 and agreed that, if the committee falls behind, it will meet on Mondays after adjournment of the Senate when possible. Clark also asked members to be available for a committee photograph; the secretary of state's photographer was scheduled to take the photo the following Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Representatives from multiple offices and organizations introduced staff who will attend or advise the committee this session. Bob McMahon identified himself as the prosecutor coordinator and said he represents the prosecutor coordinator's office and the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Daniel Shue, the elected prosecuting attorney for Sebastian County (12th Judicial District) and this year's association president, and Will Jones, prosecuting attorney for the 6th Judicial District (Pulaski and Perry counties), also introduced themselves. Laurie Campures identified herself as deputy prosecutor coordinator and said the coordinator's office will have staff available at committee meetings.
Greg Parish of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission introduced his office's attendees and said other commission staff will attend depending on the topic. Mark Whitmore spoke for the Association of Arkansas Counties and identified Taylor Hanford as an association attorney who will assist the committee on county-government matters. Other introductions included representatives from the Arkansas Judicial Council, the attorney general's criminal division, the governor's office, the Arkansas Hospital Association, the Department of Human Services (Medicaid), the University of Arkansas System, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Family Council and a government-relations firm representing the Bar Association.
Clark closed the meeting by thanking the agency and association staff for their time and noting the committee depends on staff and outside expertise to accomplish its work. The session adjourned after confirming the photo time and the standing schedule.
