HJR1011
A Constitutional Amendment Concerning The Consideration Of Bills Other Than Appropriation Bills During A Fiscal Session Of The General Assembly.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
HJR 1011 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to modify the procedures for considering non-appropriation bills during the state's fiscal sessions. Currently, fiscal sessions are generally restricted to appropriation bills, with limited exceptions. This amendment would establish a specific 15-day window—beginning seven days before and ending seven days after the start of the fiscal session—during which non-appropriation bills may be considered. Additionally, the amendment allows for non-appropriation bills filed outside of this window to be considered if approved by a two-thirds vote of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters in a general election, this change would take effect on January 1, 2027.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries include members of the Arkansas General Assembly, who would gain greater flexibility to address non-budgetary policy issues during fiscal sessions without needing a supermajority vote if bills are filed within the designated window. Additionally, constituents and advocacy groups may benefit from the expanded opportunity to propose or advance legislation that might otherwise be delayed until the next regular session.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary groups potentially negatively impacted include those who prioritize the limited scope and duration of fiscal sessions, as the expansion of allowable bill types could lead to longer, more complex legislative sessions and increased legislative workload. Additionally, the amendment may be viewed as potentially distracting from the primary focus of the fiscal session, which is the state's budget and appropriation process.
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