SJR2
A Constitutional Amendment To Create The Arkansas Apportionment Commission To Apportion Districts For The House Of Representatives, The Senate, And The United States House Of Representatives.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
This Senate Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to create a nine-member Arkansas Apportionment Commission responsible for drawing legislative and congressional district maps. Currently, the Board of Apportionment—composed of the Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General—performs this task directly. Under this proposal, the Commission would draft the maps, which the Board of Apportionment would then approve or reject. The bill establishes specific eligibility criteria for commission members to ensure independence, including restrictions on lobbyists and elected officials, and requirements for professional expertise in fields like mathematics and cartography. It also mandates transparency through compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and formal record-keeping requirements. The resolution maintains the Supreme Court’s oversight role to address deadlocks or potential abuses of discretion by the commission or board. The amendment requires approval by both the General Assembly and the state's electors in a general election.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries include the general voting public of Arkansas, as the bill aims to introduce a more independent and technically expert process for redistricting. Political reform advocates who seek to reduce partisan influence in map-making would also benefit from the commission’s structural independence requirements. Additionally, the inclusion of mandated expertise in mathematics and cartography may lead to more standardized and data-driven district boundaries.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entities negatively impacted are the current members of the Board of Apportionment—the Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General—who would lose their direct control over the initial drawing of legislative and congressional district maps. Furthermore, political organizations, lobbyists, and partisan operatives who currently wield influence within the existing political structure may find their ability to shape district boundaries restricted by the commission’s strict eligibility requirements and prohibitions on political activity.
Get Notified
Receive an email when this bill's status changes.