SCR1
To Adopt The Joint Rules Of The House Of Representatives And The Senate Of The Ninety-fourth General Assembly.
Last Action (Feb. 7, 2023): Approved by the Governor.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 adopts the Joint Rules for the 94th General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature. The resolution establishes formal procedures for joint sessions, the presentation of bills, and the internal mechanics of the legislative process between the House and the Senate. It sets forth specific protocols for the enrollment, engrossment, and signing of bills, as well as the creation and conduct of conference committees. Additionally, the bill codifies strict deadlines and supermajority requirements for the introduction of various types of legislation, including appropriation bills, retirement system reforms, and healthcare or scholarship-related measures. By adopting these rules, the legislature creates a unified framework for parliamentary conduct, scheduling, and the management of legislative business for the duration of the session.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are the members of the Arkansas General Assembly, as it establishes clear, predictable rules for parliamentary procedure, dispute resolution, and bill management. Legislative staff and administrative clerks also benefit from the codification of standardized protocols for engrossing and enrolling legislation. Ultimately, the public benefits from the orderly and disciplined operation of the legislative body, which ensures that complex budgetary and policy-related bill introductions are handled according to defined timelines and vetting processes.
Who Might Suffer?
Individuals or advocacy groups seeking to introduce late-session legislation or niche policy changes may be negatively impacted by the stringent introduction deadlines and supermajority requirements imposed by the joint rules. These rules limit the flexibility of individual legislators to introduce bills outside of the established calendar without securing high levels of support from their peers, potentially making it more difficult to address emergency issues or unforeseen developments that arise late in the legislative session.
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