Senate Agriculture Committee adopts rules, introduces members and stakeholders at organizational meeting

Senator John Cooper, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, opened the committee’s organizational meeting and said it would be brief because there were no heavy bills on the agenda. He introduced Senator Ricky Hill as vice chair and reminded attendees that the meeting was being streamed.

The committee formally adopted its proposed rules after a motion from Bruce Mallett and a second; the motion carried by voice vote with no opposition noted. "I move adoption of the rules," said Bruce Mallett before the voice vote. The rules package referenced in members' packets will govern committee procedure for the session.

The meeting focused on member and stakeholder introductions rather than policy debate. Senators introduced themselves and their districts: John Cooper of Jonesborough (District 21) noted agriculture’s importance to his district; Ricky Hill said he was born and raised on a farm and holds an agriculture degree from Arkansas State; Bruce Mallett of Magnolia described a background in business and agriculture and said he still runs cattle and manages timberland; other members including Eddie Cheatham, Blake Johnson, Matt Pitch, James Church and Dave Wallace each gave brief backgrounds and district information.

Barbara Brown, committee staff with the Bureau of Legislative Research, and staffer Kendra Drone introduced themselves and said they will support the committee’s work this session. Agency and industry representatives also introduced themselves, including Joe Fox, state forester and director of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, who said "fire danger is low today" and invited members to a Smokey Bear birthday event after the meeting. Representatives from the Arkansas Forestry Association, Arkansas Cattle Association, Arkansas Petroleum Council, Arkansas Farm Bureau, private forestry consultants and energy and packaging firms also identified their affiliations and expressed a readiness to work with the committee.

Cooper said the committee will meet in Room 309 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., or at the call of the chair if workload requires additional meetings, and asked members to attend as regularly as possible. He also said a committee photograph will be scheduled. With introductory remarks complete, Cooper adjourned the organizational meeting.

Next steps: the committee will begin its substantive docket at future meetings; no bills were debated or voted on at this organizational session.