Arkansas-Arkansas State Football Game Bill Moved To House Rules Committee

House Speaker Davy Carter (R-Cabot) has redirected HB 2274, a bill by Reps. Andy Mayberry (R-Hensley) and Harold Copenhaver (D-Jonesboro) which would mandate the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University playing a one-time football game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Net proceeds from the game would benefit one of five charities, including Arkansas Children’s Hospital, a yet-to-be-constructed veterans home in Little Rock, War Memorial Stadium, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, or the Little Rock Zoo.

A web site – www.arkansasasubenefit.com – has been constructed to allow citizens to vote on the subject.

The bill was originally assigned to the House Education committee. Today, the bill was re-assigned to the House Rules committee.

Carter tells Talk Business Arkansas, “It was a shell bill. Once I found out what it was, I determined Rules was the proper committee.”

He declined to answer a follow-up question on the subject at the time.

According to the Arkansas Legislative web site, the House Rules committee will consider legislation dealing with alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco products, coin-operated amusement devices, vending machines, lobbying, code of ethics, pari-mutual betting and similar legislation. It can also deal with legislation regarding rules, joint rules and orders of business.

On Wednesday, the House Rules committee considered whether or not to re-refer a controversial voter ID bill to the Senate after members raised concerns that the measure received enough votes to be taken up in the House.