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Arkansas House State Agencies Committee adopts meeting schedule, rules and introductions
Summary
The newly convened Arkansas House Committee on State Agencies held an organizational session in Room 151 where members and agency representatives introduced themselves and the chair laid out the committee's meeting schedule, agenda and amendment rules, sponsor-notice deadlines, and procedures for handling deferred bills and lengthy questioning.
The Arkansas House Committee on State Agencies met for an organizational session in Room 151 where members introduced themselves, agency and association representatives were recognized, and the chair set the committee's regular meeting schedule and operating procedures.
Chairman Jimmy Gazzaway, state representative for District 31, told members he expects a heavy workload and emphasized careful review of issues: "I expect that this committee will have a pretty heavy workload and I'm committed to doing the work. I don't want to rush through anything," Gazzaway said.
The committee's jurisdiction was summarized by the chair as matters "pertaining to state government and state agencies," including proposed amendments to the state constitution, election laws and procedures, and federal and interstate relations. Members received staff introductions: Carly Cooper (committee analyst), Christy Hutchinson (committee assistant) and Liz Lee (committee attorney).
Gazzaway said the committee will normally meet in Room 151 on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m., "or at the call of the chair," and warned that, depending on workload, occasional additional meetings or Friday sessions may be necessary. He detailed agenda and sponsor-notice procedures: agendas are prepared two days in advance under House rules, and sponsors receive email notification two days before a committee meeting.
The chair explained how the committee will handle items that are called and the sponsor is absent: the item will be moved to the bottom of the active agenda. If an item is called up three times without action, it will drop automatically to the deferred list unless the sponsor notifies staff. A request to move a bill from the deferred list to the active agenda must be made by 2:30 p.m., two days before the scheduled meeting.
On amendments, Gazzaway said amendments "should always be in writing" and that sponsors should notify staff in advance so copies can be distributed. He acknowledged that last-minute amendments sometimes occur but urged members to provide amendments ahead of time when possible.
The chair described "special orders of business" as used when a bill will require extra time because it is controversial, will draw many testifiers, or when out-of-town witnesses plan to appear; such items may be set for special meeting dates or times at the chair's call.
Regarding questioning during bill presentations, Gazzaway said he will allow follow-up lines of questioning beyond a strict two-question cap, providing leeway "within reason" while reserving the right to limit time when other members are waiting.
A number of legislators and outside representatives introduced themselves to the committee. Members who introduced themselves included state representatives Jimmy Gazzaway (chair, District 31, Paragould), Representative Beck (vice chair; first name not specified in the record), Steven Meeks (District 42), Stan Berry (District 44), Cindy Crawford (Fort Smith), Andrew Collins (District 73, Little Rock), Denise Sennott (District 80), David Ray (District 69), John Carr (District 15), Wayne Long (District 39), Ryan Rose (District 48), Julie Mayberry (District 92), Nicole Clowney (District 21), Brian Evans (District 68), Mark McElroy (District 62), Howard Beatty (District 95), R.J. Hawk (District 81), Jeremy Waldridge (District 1) and others who said they were new or returning to the committee.
Representatives of state agencies and stakeholder organizations present and introduced included Lindsey French of the Association of Arkansas Counties (County Clerk's Association), Caroline Cole (AAC law clerk), Kenny Hall (State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas), Tom Bullingstein (Division of Legislative Audit, deputy over state agencies), Ben Beaumont (University of Arkansas System), Dorely Chandler (Office of the Attorney General, deputy attorney general for the state agencies division) with attorneys Michael Lewis and Sarah DeBusk, Greg Parrish (Arkansas Public Defender Commission), Lori McDonald and Tiffany Wright (Department of Human Services leadership), Catherine Hinesley (Governor's Office), Luke McCoy (Family Council), Marty Ryle (Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism), Jim Hudson (secretary, Division of Finance and Administration), Daniel Shue and Will Jones (prosecuting attorneys / Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association), and representatives from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Marty Ryle noted agency presence and scope, saying the department manages 52 state parks and a heritage division that includes multiple museums and cultural institutions. Several outside organizations signaled they will follow bills affecting elections and public records; Lindsey French of the Association of Arkansas Counties said the association will monitor legislation affecting elections and the Freedom of Information Act.
No formal motions or votes were taken at the organizational meeting. The chair closed by reiterating that he will work with sponsors who need flexibility on agenda placement when reasonable and adjourned the session.
