Deadline for filing proposed Constitutional Amendments is tomorrow

February 7th marks the dates that all proposals be on file that are seeking to amend the state Constitution. Five resolutions have been filed to date, four of which propose an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution:

HJR1001 (Rep. Saunders): A proposal to increase the term of office for county officials from two (2) to four (4) years;

HJR1003 (Rep. Ragland): A proposal to abolish the office of Constable;

HJR1004 (Rep. Harris): A proposal to require the general assembly to meet annually (the "even year" session would be primarily for appropriations); and

HJR1005 (Rep. Bond et al): The Lottery bill.

All of these resolutions will be referred to the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, of which I am a member. The legislature is restricted from referring only three proposed constitutional amendments to the people for a vote, and for that reason, there is a special procedure dealing with joint resolutions that are approved.

Four proposed constitutional amendments have been filed in the Senate (three of which differ from the House resolutions):
SJR1 (Sen. Glover): The Taxpayer's Protection Amendment;
SJR3 (Sen. Glover): A proposal to establish a procedure for the recall of state public officials; and
SJR4 (Sen. Fairs): A proposal to amend various portions of the Constitution regarding voting and elections.