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Kristin Higgins
Public Policy Center
Phone: 501-671-2160
Email: khiggins@uada.edu
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
Arkansas Lawmakers Start Filing Bills for 2026 Ballot Issues
Arkansas legislators are filing proposed laws to consider in the 2025 legislative session, including proposed constitutional amendments for the 2026 ballot. This blog post will track those proposals through the end of the 95th General Assembly.
Filing started Nov. 20, 2024. Legislators have until Feb. 12, 2025 to file bills seeking to amend Arkansas' 1874 Constitution. They are allowed to refer up to three constitutional amendments to the voters to decide in the 2026 election.
Proposed Constitutional Amendments for the 2026 Arkansas Ballot
Government Transparency
| Bill | Amendment's Popular Name | Lead Sponsor | Companion Bill | Companion Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR1003 |
The Government Disclosure Amendment |
Rep. Andrew Collins | ||
| SJR1 |
An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to require a vote of three-fourths of each house of the General Assembly to enact, amend, or repeal laws concerning access to public records or access to public meetings. |
Sen. Bryan King |
Redistricting
| Bill | Amendment's Popular Name | Lead Sponsor | Companion Bill | Companion Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR1001 |
A constitutional amendment to create the Citizens' Redistricting Commission and to repeal the Board of Apportionment. |
Rep. Andrew Collins | ||
| SJR2 |
A constitutional amendment to create the Arkansas Apportionment Commission to aportion districts for the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the United States House of Representatives. |
Sen. Bryan King |
Slavery
| Bill | Amendment's Popular Name | Lead Sponsor | Companion Bill | Companion Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR1002 |
An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to repeal the exception to the prohibition of slavery and involuntary solitude. |
Rep. Andrew Collins |
How Do You Change The State Constitution?
Arkansas voters adopted the state constitution in 1874. The only way to change the constitution is through the legislative process currently underway or by citizens collecting and submitting enough voter signatures to qualify their proposals for the statewide ballot.
When you look at the document today, you will see 102 amendments. Voters in 2024 approved one proposal from the legislature as well as a proposed amendment from the citizen initiative process.
The Arkansas General Assembly considers constitutional amendments when they meet in an odd-numbered years. They are limited by the state constitution to proposing three constitutional amendments to voters plus one about their salary. Some years, they will send one proposal to the voters, or two or three. When they last considered proposals in 2023, legislators filed 33 constitutional amendments to review. That was 10 less than what was filed for the 2024 ballot.
In recent years, proposals covered a variety of topics, including election laws, lawsuit damages, changes to city or state authority.
Once the Feb. 12 deadline passes, representatives and senators will narrow down the proposals at State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee meetings.
Curious about how today's filings compare to the last session? Look back at the 2023 legislative filings for the 2024 ballot.
Arkansas Ballot Issue Education Program
The Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has provided neutral, research-based fact sheets on every statewide ballot issue since 2004. The purpose is to provide voters with a better understanding of what is being asked on them.