As Deadline Draws Near, Political Bills Worth Watching – Part 1

With a Monday, March 7 deadline for bill filing drawing near, the intrigue for interesting legislation increases.

We may do this on a daily basis to keep you up to speed on particular items that come across the bill filing desk in these final hasty days. Some of what we share may be in reference to actions we told you were coming weeks ago.

So let’s get to it:

The bill to draw Congressional District lines is typically filed by the chair of the State Agencies Committee in each chamber. Rep. Clark Hall (D-Marvell) fulfilled that duty today with HB 1836. It is a shell bill whose details will be filled in as the process goes along.

Of interest, we point out HB 1838, a similar shell bill filed by lead sponsor Rep. Tracy Steele (D-North Little Rock) and members of the Democratic Black Caucus. We’ve been telling you for weeks that African-American members of the General Assembly want to explore the pursuit of a "majority-minority" Congressional District.

Democratic leaders say it isn’t possible, while GOP strategists contend it is. Could we see a GOP-Black Caucus alliance? The possibility remains.

Sen. Michael Lamoureaux (R-Russellville) filed a bill, SB 744, asking voters to declare their political party affiliation at voter registration. The bill basically would turn Arkansas into a closed primary state, similar to others.

Only those who are registered as Democrats could vote in Democratic primaries, while only Republicans could vote in GOP primaries.  The language from the bill reads:

"No person shall vote in a political party primary election of a party with which he or she is not affiliated, as indicated by the person as part of his or her voter registration."

Independents, Green Party supporters, undecideds and others, see you in the general election.