Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Committee Organization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate City, County & Local Affairs Committee adopts rules, sets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Summary
At an organizational meeting, the Senate City, County & Local Affairs Committee approved its committee rules by voice vote, set a twice-weekly meeting schedule and heard brief introductions from agency and association representatives.
The Senate City, County & Local Affairs Committee approved its committee rules and set its regular meeting times for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. in Room 272 during an organizational meeting, committee members said.
The adoption of the rules, described in materials as “the same as last year,” came after staff introduced the packet and the chair asked for a motion to approve. Senator Terry Rice moved to approve the rules; Senator Bryant seconded, and the motion passed on a voice vote, with members responding “aye.”
The rules approval establishes the committee’s procedures for the upcoming session and fixes administrative details that committee staff said would support workflow. Committee staff said sponsor notifications will be sent by email two days before a bill appears on the committee agenda, and members were asked to leave the green meeting folders in the room after each meeting so staff can prepare them for subsequent sessions.
Staff and outside groups introduced themselves to the committee. Committee staff identified Katie Hickman as committee analyst, Yesenia as committee assistant, and Sydney Sims as committee attorney. Crystal Lines, director of the Association of Arkansas Counties, introduced association staff present and said the association stands ready to assist with county issues: “We are subject matter experts on all that and happy to help out in any way that we can,” she said. Scott Bradley, director of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association, told members, “I’m here for you,” and said he would relay questions to his board. Bill Pascall said United Beverage Retailers of Arkansas represents about 70 independent liquor stores around the state and expected to appear on alcohol-related bills this session.
Other representatives who introduced themselves included Brianne Davis (representing Pope and Conway counties and the city of Dardanelle), Joshua Bridal (representing parts of Benton and Washington counties), Senator Jim Petty (District 29), Joe Archer (deputy over county cities and prosecuting attorney engagements), Noah Watson (deputy attorney general) and staff from the governor’s office, Farm Bureau, Family Council, and the Department of Energy and Environment.
The meeting concluded after members were given the chance to introduce agency and association representatives and there was no further business. The committee adjourned after the organizational items were completed.
