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HB 1753

Appropriation: Real Estate Commission.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Richard Bennett and 8 co-sponsors

HB 1753 aimed to (in Arkansas) opt out of NVRA and restrict voter‑registration form access, while Illinois and Mississippi variants recreated separate, unrelated measures.

Died In Conference
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Bill Summary · HB 1753

Summary — HB 1753

Status: Died in Conference (final recorded action: Died In Conference 2025-03-29)
Introduced: January 7, 2025
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Long; Co-sponsors: Rep. Dave Severin; Rep. Debbie Meyers‑Martin (appears as sponsor of an alternate version)

Note: The legislative record and document package for “HB 1753” contain multiple, substantially different texts and amendments from different jurisdictions (Arkansas voter‑registration changes; an Illinois municipal finance/financially distressed city substitute; and a Mississippi appropriation amendment). The bill docket shows extensive amendments and a conference process; the consolidated outcome was that the measure did not survive conference.

Purpose (as presented in different versions)

  • Arkansas version (original text by Rep. Long): To amend Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51 §5 and related statutes to opt the state out of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) and to change how voter‑registration application forms are provided by voter‑registration agencies.
  • Illinois substitute (House Amendment 001 filed by Rep. Debbie Meyers‑Martin): Replaces the bill with amendments to the Illinois Municipal Code’s Financially Distressed City Law and related Finance Authority provisions (authorizations for bonds, processes for certifying financially distressed cities, grant‑matching waivers, enforcement remedies).
  • Mississippi floor/committee amendment: Rewrites the bill as an appropriation from the Real Estate License Fund to fund the Mississippi Real Estate Commission for FY2026.

Key provisions — Arkansas (original)

  • State formally “opts out” of enforcement/effectuation of the NVRA (52 U.S.C. §20501 et seq.).
  • Voter‑registration agencies (including Office of Driver Services / State Revenue Offices, public assistance agencies, disabilities agencies, public libraries, recruitment offices for armed forces, and Arkansas National Guard offices) would provide voter registration application forms only upon request — rather than affirmatively offering them.
  • Removes requirement that certain agencies include an affirmative opt‑out question in application processes.
  • Fiscal impact statement: No direct taxpayer impact; implementation requires changes to the Arkansas Integrated Revenue System (AIRS) Driver Services/Motor Vehicle module at a one‑time project cost of $28,000. Training and manual/website updates required.

Key provisions — Illinois (substitute synopsis)

  • Amends Financially Distressed City Law: allows waiver of required local matching for State grants awarded to a financially distressed city (unless federal funding requires match); prohibits distressed status from negatively affecting grant awards; authorizes Comptroller review processes for certification; expands grounds and procedures for designating a municipality as financially distressed; grants Financial Advisory Authority standing to seek enforcement in circuit court; other conforming changes. Also contains Finance Authority bond limits language.

Key provisions — Mississippi (committee amendment)

  • Appropriates $1,786,295 from the Real Estate License Fund to the Mississippi Real Estate Commission for FY2026.
  • Authorizes an agency headcount of 25 (permanent), includes personnel‑and‑procurement control language, reporting and recordkeeping requirements, purchasing preferences (e.g., Mississippi Industries for the Blind), and an effective date clause (text shows effective July 1, 2025).

Who would be affected

  • Arkansas version: state agencies that serve as voter‑registration agencies, applicants seeking services at those agencies, and state IT systems (AIRS/Driver Services).
  • Illinois version: home‑rule municipalities meeting criteria for financial distress, Financial Advisory Authorities, State grant programs, and the Illinois Finance Authority.
  • Mississippi version: Mississippi Real Estate Commission (funding and staffing), vendors and procurement preferences, and the Real Estate License Fund.

Procedural/timeline highlights

  • Multiple readings and committee referrals occurred (various dates in Jan–Mar 2025). Conference conferees were named; however, the bill ultimately “Died In Conference” on 2025‑03‑29. One House record also lists “Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment” for the Arkansas iteration.

Notes / Caveats

  • The package contains multiple incompatible texts (different states and policy areas) under the same bill number — summary above separates the principal variants. Some draft language contains typographical or inconsistent date wording (e.g., repeal/effective dates) that appear to be drafting errors.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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