UACES Facebook Legislators Submit Proposals for 2022 Arkansas Ballot
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Legislators Submit Proposals for 2022 Arkansas Ballot

by Kristin Higgins - February 5, 2021

Updated Feb. 11 to reflect bills posted after 4:30 p.m.

Arkansas lawmakers have filed 43 proposed constitutional amendments for the 2022 ballot. The proposals cover a variety of topics, calling for partisan elections, a higher threshold for voter approval of ballot issues, renters rights, limits to lawsuit damages, eliminating personal property taxes, and more authority for lawmakers to call extraordinary sessions. 

Find the full list of proposals and their sponsors below.

Now that the Feb. 10 filing deadline has passed, representatives and senators will narrow down the proposals in coming weeks through discussion at State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee meetings. The Arkansas Constitution allows legislators to refer up to three amendments at a time to voters.

Arkansas' 1874 Constitution currently has 102 amendments, the latest of which were approved by voters in November 2020. Voters approved a permanent half-cent sales tax for roads and changed term limits for state legislators.

Curious about how today's filings compare to the last session? Look back at 2019 legislative filings for the 2020 ballot.

 

Proposed Amendments Filed by the Arkansas Legislature for the 2022 Ballot

 

Ballot Issue Process and Voter Approval

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1005 A Constitutional Amendment to Require that Measures Presented to Voters for Approval Under Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, Section 1, Article 19, § 22, And Amendment 70, § 2,
Shall Be Approved When Receiving at least Sixty Percent (60%) of the Votes Cast on the Measure and Clarifying that a Measure Under Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, § 1, Includes a Proposal Submitted Through the Initiative or Referendum Process Under that Section		 David Ray    
HJR1008 A Constitutional Amendment to Reform Ballot Initiatives and Referendums, to be Known as the "Ballot Initiative Reform Amendment" DeAnn Vaught    

 

Casino Gaming

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1010 A Constitutional Amendment to Remove the Authorization for Casino Gaming in Pope County Joe Cloud    

 

Constitutional Officers and Legislative Sessions

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1001 A Constitutional Amendment to Allow the General Assembly to Convene Itself in Extraordinary Session Upon the Joint Proclamation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate Frances Cavenaugh SJR10 Breanne Davis
HJR1012 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that revises the duties of certain constitutional officers John Payton    
HJR1013

Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning the duties of certain constitutional officers

 John Payton    
SJR2 A Constitutional Amendment to Allow the General Assembly to Convene in Extraordinary Session Upon the Request of a Majority of the Members of Each House of the General Assembly and to Provide for Certain Circumstances in Which the General Assembly May Extend an Extraordinary Session Called at the Request of the General Assembly Alan Clark  

 

 
SJR15 A Constitutional Amendment Requiring the Governor to Convene an Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly When Declaring an Emergency by Executive Order or Proclamation Alan Clark  

 

 

Court System and Lawsuits

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1014 An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Concerning Limits on Awards of Punitive Damages and Noneconomic Damages in Civil Actions Lee Johnson SJR8

Missy Irvin
HJR1015 A Constitutional Amendment to Permit Legislative Enactment of Rules of Pleading, Practice, Procedure, and Evidence for Courts for the Purpose of Ensuring that Sufficient Checks and Balances Exist Between the Legislative and Judicial Branches of Government Jim Dotson SJR9

Bob Ballinger
HJR1016 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning rules of pleading, practice, procedure, and evidence in all courts Jim Dotson  

 
HJR1020 The purpose of this joint resolution is to amend the Arkansas Constitution concerning fines and restrictions related to frivolous lawsuits Josh Miller  

 
HJR1021 A Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the Exception to the Prohibition of Slavery and Involuntary Servitude Vivian Flowers  

 
HJR1022 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning the powers of the Supreme Court and General Assembly pertaining to the adoption of court rules to mirror the Federal Rules Enabling Act Jimmy Gazaway  

 
HJR1025 A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the Authority to Determine the Amount of Compensation Owed For, or Civil Penalty Imposed Because of, Injuries Resulting in Death, Injuries Resulting from Acts or Omissions Creating a Significant Risk to Life, and Injuries to or Deprivation of Private Property Jimmy Gazaway  

 
SJR3 An Amendment Permitting the State of Arkansas to be Sued as a Defendant in State Court in the Same Circumstances As Any Other Type of Party, Such as a Private Citizen or a Corporation Alan Clark  

 
SJR7 A Constitutional Amendment to Permit Legislative Enactment of Rules of Pleading, Practice, Procedure, and Evidence for Courts Bob Ballinger  

 
SJR18 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to provide that the United States Supreme Court shall consist of nine (9) justices Alan Clark  

 

 

Elections

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1002 A Constitutional Amendment To Provide that an Annual Ad Valorem Tax for the Maintenance and Operation of Schools and the Retirement of Indebtedness Shall Not Appear on the Annual School Election Ballot if the Proposed Rate of Tax is the Same as the Rate of Tax Approved at the Last Annual School Election at Which a Rate of Tax Levy Appeared on the Ballot David Tollett    
HJR1006  A Constitutional Amendment to Create a Procedure for the Recall of Persons Elected to the Offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State,
Treasurer of State, Auditor of State, Commissioner of State Lands, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice of the Supreme Court, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, Judge of the Court of Appeals, Circuit Judge, or District Judge		 Frances Cavenaugh    
HJR1011 A Constitutional Amendment to Provide for a Local Option Election Concerning Casino Gaming in Pope County Joe Cloud    
HJR1017 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to provide for certain elected officials to be elected on a partisan basis Jim Dotson    
HJR1019 A Constitutional Amendment Providing that Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, Circuit Judges, and District Judges Shall Be Elected on a Partisan Basis Robin Lundstrum    
SJR5 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning the manner in which primary elections are conducted. Jason Rapert    
SJR6 A Constitutional Amendment Requiring the General Assembly to Establish by Law an Election Process in which Candidates at a Primary Election, Special Primary Election, or Election for Nonpartisan Office Appear on a Single Ballot Regardless of Political Party Affiliation and the Top Two (2) Candidates Advance to the General Election or Special Election; and Requiring the General Assembly to Establish by Law a Process Based on Party Affiliation for Selecting Delegates to Attend a Quadrennial National Nominating Convention of a Political Party to Select a Nominee for the Office of President of the United States and a Process for Choosing and Electing Electors for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States Clarke Tucker    
SJR12 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to propose an
amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning the qualifications to vote in an election		 Greg Leding    

 

Highway Commission

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1009 A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the State Highway Commission and Amending the Name, Membership, Powers, and Duties of the State Highway Commission Jim Dotson     

 

Minimum Wage

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1007 A Constitutional Amendment to Create the Citizens Commission on the Minimum Wage, With the Sole Authority to Implement Increases to the Minimum Wage Fredrick Love    

 

Religious Freedom

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1024 A Constitutional Amendment Creating the 'Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment' And Providing That Government May Burden a Person's Freedom Of Religion Only if the Government Demonstrates that Application of the Burden to the Person is in Furtherance of a Compelling Government Interest and is the Least Restrictive Means of Furthering that Compelling Government Interest Jimmy Gazaway SJR14 Jason Rapert

 

Right to Bear Arms

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1023 A Constitutional Amendment to Provide that Citizens of the State of Arkansas Have a Fundamental Right to Keep and Bear Arms Jimmy Gazaway SJR13 Jason Rapert

 

Schools and Education

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1018 A Constitutional Amendment to Provide that Lottery Proceeds May Be Used to Fund or Provide Scholarships and Grants to Arkansas Citizens Enrolled in Vocational-Technical Schools and Technical Institutes Robin Lundstrum    
SJR4 A Constitutional Amendment Providing that the General Assembly Shall Provide By Law for the Establishment, Maintenance, and Support of Free Public Schools Subject To Such Conditions and Limitations as the General Assembly May Prescribe Mark Johnson    
SJR16 A Constitutional Amendment Providing that Interscholastic or Intramural Athletic Teams that are Sponsored by a Public School Shall Be Expressly Designated Based on Biological Sex and Providing that Athletic Teams or Sports Designated for "Females", "Women", or "Girls" Shall Not Be Open to Students of the Male Sex and Athletic Teams or Sports Designated for "Males", "Men", or "Boys" Shall Not Be Open to Students of the Female Sex Alan Clark    

 

Taxes and Public Debt

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
HJR1003 A Constitutional Amendment Providing for the Maintenance and Operation of Libraries, Capital Improvements to Libraries, and the Construction of Libraries Michelle Gray    
HJR1004 An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Providing that No Tax Shall Be Levied on Personal Property Effective No Later Than January 1, 2047, and Providing That Personal Property and Real Property Are Not Required to be Taxed at an Equal Rate Stephen Meeks    
SJR1 A Constitutional Amendment Providing That a Municipality May Incur Short-Term Financing Obligations Maturing Over a Period of, or Having a Term, Not to Exceed Ten (10) Years for the Purpose of Acquiring Fire Trucks Alan Clark    

 

Tenant Rights

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
SJR11 An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Create an Implied Warranty of Habitability and to Provide Protections for Arkansas Tenants Greg Leding    

 

Miscellaneous

Bill Amendment's Popular Name Lead Sponsor Companion Bill Companion Sponsor
SJR17 Shell Bill: The purpose of this joint resolution is to amend the Arkansas Constitution concerning a review of the constitutionality of certain federal actions prior to their implementation Bob Ballinger    
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