Arkansas House of Representatives

Arkansas House of Representatives
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Name	Arkansas House of Representatives
Legislature	General Assembly
House type	Lower house
Body	Arkansas General Assembly
Term limits	12 consecutive years
New session	January 9, 2023
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Matthew Shepherd
Election1	2018
Leader2 type	Speaker pro tempore
Leader2	Jon S. Eubanks
Election2	2023
Leader3 type	Majority Leader
Leader3	Marcus Richmond
Election3	2023
Leader4 type	Minority Leader
Leader4	Tippi McCullough
Election4	2022
Members	100
Political groups1	Majority (82), Republican (82), Minority (18), Democratic (18)
Last election1	November 8, 2022
Next election1	November 5, 2024
Meeting place	House Chamber, Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock
Website	www.arkansashouse.org

Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the General Assembly of Arkansas, the state legislature of Arkansas. Composed of 100 members elected from single-member districts, it convenes at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock. Alongside the Arkansas Senate, it is responsible for enacting state laws, approving the budget, and providing oversight of the executive branch.

History

The House was established upon Arkansas's admission to the United States in 1836, with its first session held in the original Arkansas State House. Early sessions were dominated by debates over issues such as slavery and secession, with the state briefly joining the Confederate States of America. The Reconstruction era saw significant changes, including the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Civil Rights Movement and pivotal court cases like Brown v. Board of Education later influenced legislative actions on desegregation. The modern political landscape shifted dramatically with the rise of the Republican Party, which gained control of the chamber after the 2012 Arkansas House of Representatives election.

Membership

Members must be at least 21 years old, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Arkansas for at least two years, and a resident of their district for one year. Since a 2014 referendum, members are subject to term limits of 12 consecutive years. The current membership, following the 2022 Arkansas House of Representatives election, consists of 82 Republicans and 18 Democrats, reflecting a strong Republican majority. Notable current and former members include former Speaker of the House John N. Tillman, former Governor Mike Huckabee, and former U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson.

Leadership

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, elected by the full membership; the current Speaker is Matthew Shepherd. Other key leaders include the Speaker pro tempore, Jon S. Eubanks, and the Majority Leader, Marcus Richmond. The minority party is led by the Minority Leader, Tippi McCullough. These leaders control the flow of legislation and make committee assignments. The House also elects a Chief Clerk and a Sergeant at Arms to manage administrative and security functions.

Committees

The House operates through a system of standing, interim, and select committees where most legislative work occurs. Key standing committees include the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, which handles fiscal matters, and the House Education Committee, which oversees education policy. Other influential panels are the House Judiciary Committee and the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. These committees, chaired by senior members like Brian S. Evans and Jack Ladyman, hold hearings, amend bills, and vote on legislation before it reaches the House floor.

Powers and duties

The House shares the core legislative power to enact laws, known as Acts of Arkansas, which require passage by both chambers and the signature of the Governor of Arkansas. It holds the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and impeach state officials, with trials conducted by the Arkansas Senate. The chamber plays a critical role in crafting the state budget, appropriating funds for agencies like the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It also exercises oversight through committees that review the operations of the executive branch, including the administration of the Governor.

Elections and districts

Members are elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years, with all 100 seats contested in each general election. Districts are redrawn every decade following the United States Census to ensure equal population. The current district map was adopted by the Arkansas Board of Apportionment after the 2020 United States Census. Elections are administered by the Arkansas Secretary of State and supervised by the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners. Recent election cycles, such as the 2020 Arkansas House of Representatives election, have been characterized by significant spending from groups like the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

Category:Arkansas House of Representatives Category:Lower houses of subnational legislatures