May
Contact
Kristin Higgins
Public Policy Center
Phone: 501-671-2160
Email: khiggins@uada.edu
Office:
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
Lawmakers Send 3 Amendments to Voters
Arkansas lawmakers approved sending three constitutional amendments to voters on the
November 2022 ballot.
Legislators approved two proposals earlier in April, with the third one coming the
last week of the 108-day session. State lawmakers have recessed and plan to come back
later this fall to deal with redistricting for Arkansas' four U.S. House of Representative
seats.
The three measures approved by legislators were among 42 proposed amendments filed
this session. Committees in the House and Senate reviewed many of the proposals, with
sponsors testifying before them on why their bills should be chosen for the ballot.
Ultimately, two amendments made it out of committee. Senator Jason Rapert and Representative
Stephen Meeks filed resolutions urging colleagues to consider one of their proposals
for the third slot on the 2022 ballot. Rapert's SJR14 persevered.
Arkansas is one of 15 states the legislature and citizens can propose constitutional
amendments for voters to decide, and ballot issue groups can also propose state laws
and veto referendums. After the end of the 2019 legislative session, a ballot issue
group filed a veto referendum on a new state law expanding the types of procedures
optometrists can perform. Several groups have voiced a desire to file veto referendums
on laws passed this session.
Arkansas' 1874 Constitution currently has 102 amendments, the latest which were approved
by voters in November 2020 changing the state's term limit laws and approving a permanent
0.5% sales tax for roadwork and maintenance across the state.
A constitutional amendment to reform certain measures presented to voters, to be known
as the "Constitutional Amendment and Ballot Initiative Reform Amendment”
A constitutional amendment to allow the General Assembly to convene in extraordinary
session upon the issuance of a joint written proclamation of the speaker of the House
of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate or upon the submission
of a written proclamation containing the signatures of at least 2/3 of the members
of the House of Representatives and at least 2/3 of the members of the Senate to the
speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate
requesting that the General Assembly convene in extraordinary session
A constitutional amendment to create the "Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment"