HJR1017
A Constitutional Amendment Providing That A Proposed State-wide Initiated Act Or Constitutional Amendment Shall Become A Law When Approved By A Majority Of The Votes Cast In The Election And A Majority Of The Counties Of The State.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
HJR 1017 is a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that alters the requirements for the passage of initiated acts and constitutional amendments. Under this proposal, for a state-wide initiated act or constitutional amendment to become law, it must receive both a majority of the total votes cast state-wide and a majority of the votes cast in a majority of Arkansas counties (at least 39 out of 75). The bill specifies that this 'double majority' requirement applies to measures submitted by the public as well as constitutional amendments proposed by the General Assembly. Conversely, the bill maintains that state-wide referendums to repeal existing laws or measures only require a simple majority of the total votes cast, regardless of county-level results. If passed by the legislature, the proposal would be submitted to the electors of the state for final approval or rejection. If adopted, these changes would take effect on January 1, 2027.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries would be residents of less-populated, rural counties, as this measure grants these areas greater influence in blocking state-wide initiatives that might otherwise be passed solely by the higher population density of urban centers. Additionally, political entities and interest groups that prioritize the status quo or oppose widespread policy changes initiated through the ballot process benefit from the increased difficulty in achieving constitutional or legislative changes.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most directly and negatively impacted are proponents of citizen-led ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments, as the proposed requirement significantly raises the threshold for successfully enacting such measures. Voters in high-population urban areas are also negatively impacted in a relative sense, as their collective voting power to influence state-wide policy through ballot initiatives is effectively diluted by the new geographic distribution requirement. Organizations that utilize the initiated act process as a tool for public advocacy would face higher costs and increased administrative hurdles in their campaigns.
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