Senate Education Committee adopts rules, introduces new members and schedules meetings

The Senate Education Committee convened for an organizational meeting to introduce new members, staff and stakeholders, adopt committee rules and set a meeting cadence. Chair English welcomed a packed room of advocates and officials and asked attendees to sign an attendance sheet so staff could follow up.

Members introduced themselves: Senators Linda Chesterfield (Senate District 12), Brianne Davis (Polk and Conway counties), Greg Laddings (Fayetteville), Kim Hammer (District 18), Joshua Bridal (District 32), Matt Stone (District 2) and Jim Dodson. Chair English introduced staff Emily Morozoff, Kathy Ouellette and staff attorney Taylor Lloyd (working remotely due to injury).

Chair English asked for a motion to adopt the house rules for the committee. Senator Linda Chesterfield moved to adopt the rules; a second was requested but not named on the record. A voice vote was taken and an "Aye" was heard; the chair proceeded with the agenda. The chair reminded members that bills require a fiscal impact statement, typically a three-day process.

Attendees representing higher-education and workforce organizations introduced themselves, including a government-relations representative from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Arkansas Learns, Larkins Technical College, and other CTE and workforce training advocates. The chair announced the committee will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 in Room 207, with the caveat that Fridays are likely used only when workload increases.

With no bills on the calendar, the chair said the committee probably would not meet the following Wednesday but would post meetings as needed. The session closed after brief additional introductions and invitations for legislators to attend non-voting.