State Senate Panel Hones Constitutional Proposals
by March 14, 2011 7:00 pm 63 views
The Senate State Agencies Committee narrowed its choices for possible changes to the Arkansas Constitution by selecting two choices for a joint committee’s consideration.
The State Agencies panel approved SJR 2 and SJR 5, but rejected three other potential constitutional amendments – SJR 4, SJR 6 and SJR 7 – for advancement.
SJR 2 would strip the independent state agency standing of the Arkansas Highway Commission and department. Currently, the roads agency operates independently – with less legislative oversight – than other state agencies. The Highway Commission has its current standing due to the 1953 passage of the Mack-Blackwell amendment. A provision to bring the Arkansas Lottery Commission under stricter legislative supervision was stripped from the proposed resolution.
SJR 5 would allow cities and counties to create local sales taxing districts for the purposes of financing revenue bonds associated with certain projects. Bond programs must be approved by voters within the qualifying districts.
Also, the proposal would allow for bonds to be issued to repay unfunded liabilities associated with closed local police and fire pension plans.
SJR 4 proposed to create a higher vote threshold of 75% for raising taxes in the General Assembly.
SJR 6 would have altered the state’s term limits provision to allow for 14 years of service to occur in either chamber of the General Assembly. Currently, members can serve 6 years in the House and 8 years in the Senate.
SJR 7 proposed merging several constitutional offices and eliminating the office of Commissioner of State Lands.
The two measures that passed today’s vote will be considered by a Joint State Agencies Committee, which will include potential House referrals for changing the Arkansas Constitution. When the joint committee convenes, it can select up to 3 proposed constitutional amendments for voter approval in the November 2012 general election.
The House State Agencies Committee has not forwarded its potential constitutional choices to the joint committee yet.