Constitutional amendments, Clinton visit part of legislative filings

Wednesday (Feb. 11) was the last day members of the 87th General Assembly could file a bill for purposes of proposing a constitutional amendment. While there are a few minor exceptions to the limit, the General Assembly can propose three constitutional amendments from each legislative session.

Amendment bills filed Wednesday were:
HJR 1006
The proposed amendment would increase the terms of county officials from two years to four and establish a recall procedure for elected county officials.

HJR 1007
The proposed bill seeks to amend Amendment 82 of the Arkansas Constitution by establishing criteria before authorizing bonds for companies building new operations in the state.

HJR 1008
This bill seeks to amend the state constitution by changing the rule for Highway Commission appointments. One change would reduce the term of the at-large commissioner from 10 years to five years. The amendment also seeks to make clear that each of Arkansas’ four Congressional districts have one highway commissioner.

HJR 1009
Believe it or not, the Arkansas Constitution prohibits an avowed Atheist from holding an office in Arkansas’ “civil departments” or testifying as a witness in court. This bill seeks a constitutional amendment repealing said prohibition.

SJR 11
This bill, proposed by Sen. Terry Smith, D-Hot Springs, seeks to “repeal provisions of the Arkansas Constitution pertaining to the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission.” The vague proposal could call for a minor change to the state agency or could call for its abolishment. Odd.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, nine bills seeking constitutional amendments — including an amendment to abolish the office of constable — had been filed in the House of Representatives, and 11 filed in the Senate.

Also on Wednesday it was learned that former President and former Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton has been invited to address a joint session of the Arkansas House and Senate on Feb. 18. A resolution was filed that clears the way for the joint session with the former President and former Arkansas governor.

OTHER ACTION
• A Senate committee also approved for a floor vote the House bill that increases by 56 cents per pack the tax on cigarettes.

• Rep. Robbie Wills, speaker of the House, said he is considering including ethics language in the bill that would provide structure to the Arkansas lottery.

• The Joint Budget Committee adopted a plan that would convene fiscal legislative sessions during even-numbered years and and regular sessions during odd-numbered years.

Roby Brock, a content partner with The City Wire, has details at his Political Buzz on the above actions.

Link here for a list of all bills filed Wednesday (Feb. 11).