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SB570

To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning The Membership Of The Joint Budget Committee.

Failed

Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 570 proposes modifications to the composition of the Arkansas Joint Budget Committee. The bill expands the committee's membership by including specific leadership roles: the immediate past cochairs of the Legislative Council, the immediate past cochairs of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, the immediate past President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives. It establishes protocols for appointing alternate members if these individuals are no longer serving in the legislature. Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for filling vacancies if certain leadership positions have not yet been elected. The overall purpose is to formalize the role of past legislative leadership within the state's budget-setting process.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are the members of the Arkansas legislative leadership, specifically the immediate past cochairs of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, as well as the immediate past President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the immediate past Speaker of the House. These individuals gain formal seats on the influential Joint Budget Committee. Additionally, the current Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate benefit from increased authority to appoint members to committee roles in instances where previous officeholders are no longer serving in the legislature.

Who Might Suffer?

There is no group directly and negatively impacted by this legislation in terms of loss of rights, finances, or welfare. The bill primarily concerns the internal organizational structure and administrative procedures of the Arkansas General Assembly. While some observers might argue that the potential for a larger committee could slightly dilute the individual influence of existing committee members, this is an internal procedural change rather than a direct negative impact on any specific outside group or constituent.

Vote Records

Third Reading

April 2, 2025
Yea: 32 Nay: 0 NV: 1 Absent: 2 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Absent
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Absent
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Yea
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate NV
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us