The Tolbert Report

Arkansas House of Representatives’ New Communication Director Amanda Manatt confirms today that they are on pace to have internet live streaming in place in time for the first fiscal session which begins in February. At first, only the proceeding on the House floor and in committee room 151 will set up with other committee rooms coming online at a later date.

However, the bulk of the fiscal session’s work will take place in the Senate committee room where the Joint Budget Committee meets. According to the Senate Information Officer John Reed, the Senate does not have plans to put their meetings online. “The House is a little ahead of us on this one,” said Reed. He did say they will try to post some videos from session on their YouTube channel.

Even without the Senate, with the House online, Arkansans can log on to the legislative website and watch some of the House proceeding live, such as the joint meeting in the House chamber where Gov. Beebe will address the both chambers. Matt DeCample confirms that the governor will address the legislators at the opening of the session. Although all the details have not yet been worked out, DeCample does not expect the governor to make a full State of the State address as is normally done during the regular session.