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.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Payton and 1 co-sponsor

HJR 1017 aimed to require majority approval from both voters and counties for state-wide initiatives in Arkansas, enhancing local representation in decision-making.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Summary of HJR 1017: Proposed Constitutional Amendment

Bill Number: HJR 1017
Title: 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.
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: February 12, 2025
Classification: Joint Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HJR 1017 aimed to amend the Arkansas Constitution to change the requirements for a proposed state-wide initiated act or constitutional amendment to become law. The intent was to ensure that not only a majority of votes cast in an election would be necessary for approval, but also that a majority of counties in the state must support the measure. This dual requirement was designed to enhance local representation in state-wide decisions.

Key Provisions

Voting Requirements:

A proposed state-wide initiated act or constitutional amendment would take effect if:
- Approved by a majority of the votes cast in the election.
- Approved by a majority of the votes cast in a majority of the counties of the state.

Repeal of Measures:

Any act, measure, or portion thereof subject to a state-wide referendum would be repealed if rejected by a majority of the electors voting on the matter, regardless of the number of counties that voted against it.

Amendments to Existing Provisions:

The resolution proposed amendments to various sections of the Arkansas Constitution, including:
- Article 5, § 1 (Majority)
- Article 5, § 1 (Conflicting Measures)
- Article 19, § 22 (Constitutional Amendments)
- Amendment 70, § 2 (Additional Constitutional Amendments)

Effective Date:

If passed, the amendment would have been effective on January 1, 2027.

Ballot Title and Popular Name:

The proposed amendment would have been presented to voters with a specific ballot title and popular name to clarify its intent.

Impact

Affected Parties:

The amendment would have impacted all Arkansas voters by changing how state-wide measures are approved, potentially making it more challenging for initiatives to pass if they do not have broad geographic support.
Local governments and county representatives would also be affected, as the amendment aimed to ensure that measures had support across a majority of counties, not just in populous areas.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Actions:

The resolution was filed on February 12, 2025, and was read and referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs.
It ultimately died in the House Committee on May 5, 2025, at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress to a vote or further consideration.

In summary, HJR 1017 sought to amend the Arkansas Constitution to require broader support for state-wide initiatives, reflecting a desire for more localized approval in the legislative process. However, it did not advance beyond the committee stage.