Three Constitutional Amendments Advance (UPDATED)

The Legislature will consider referring to the voters constitutional amendments that would remove the current cap on superproject infrastructure bonds, allow the governor to retain his or her powers when leaving the state, and increase the terms of county officials to four years.

The amendments were advanced during a brief meeting of the Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendments Wednesday. The Legislature can refer up to three amendments to the voters each election cycle.

Senate Joint Resolution 16 by Sen. Jon Woods, R-Springdale, and Rep. Lance Eads, R-Springdale, would remove the cap – currently 5 percent of the state budget – on super project general obligation bonds issued under Amendment 82. The Legislature would have the power to determine the size of incentives offered to employers based on the impact of the project after a third party analysis. The amendment would allow cities and municipalities to provide economic development infrastructure and services. It also would let cities and municipalities sell voter-approved bonds for infrastructure and incentives. Finally, the amendment standardizes a definition of economic development across three sections of the Arkansas Constitution.

Danny Games, Arkansas Economic Development Commission interim executive director, testified that the amendment would help Arkansas better compete for large projects such as automotive plants.

Senate Joint Resolution 3 by Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot, would allow the governor to maintain his or her powers when he or she leaves the state. Under the Arkansas Constitution, the lieutenant governor currently acts as governor when the governor crosses the state line.

Legislative leaders earlier had indicated the Legislature likely would not refer any amendments to the voters. On March 26, Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked for support for SJR16 and SJR3 during a speech before the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation and the Arkansas Industrial & Economic Development Foundation.

House Joint Resolution 1027 by Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, increases the terms of county judges, sheriffs, and other county officials from two years to four. It also allows the Legislature to enact laws so that candidates are considered elected when they are the only ones that have filed for a particular office.

UPDATE: The House approved HJR 1027 and the Senate approved SJR 3 and SJR 16 late Wednesday.