HB1774

House Bill 1774 amends the composition and appointment process of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. It increases the commission's total membership from seven to thirteen voting members. The bill shifts the appointment authority, with seven members appointed by the Governor, three by the Speaker of the House, and three by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. It establishes specific professional requirements for appointees, including backgrounds in real estate, homebuilding, mortgage lending, and banking, while also designating specific seats for consumer representatives, including those representing persons with disabilities, the elderly, and fair housing advocates. The bill mandates that appointments reflect geographic diversity across Arkansas's congressional districts and includes specific rotation requirements for legislative appointments. Finally, it outlines the transition process, ensuring existing members serve out their current terms before new requirements are fully implemented.