TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO IS AN APPOINTEE IN THAT POSITION TO USE THE TITLE OF THAT POSITION AS A PREFIX WHEN FILING AS A CANDIDATE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Gilmore and 1 co-sponsor

Act 715 allows Arkansas judicial appointees to use their official titles when filing for election, enhancing their visibility and credibility among voters.

Notification that HB1891 is now Act 715

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1891, now known as Act 715, was introduced to amend the requirements for filing as a candidate for nonpartisan judicial offices in Arkansas. The primary intent of the bill is to allow individuals who are currently serving as appointees in the positions of Justice of the Supreme Court or Judge of the Court of Appeals to use their official titles as prefixes when filing their candidacy.

Key Provisions

The bill modifies Arkansas Code § 7-10-103(f)(1)(B)(ii) to include the following provisions:

Eligibility for Title Use: A candidate may use the title of their current nonpartisan judicial office as a prefix when filing for election if they meet specific criteria:

The candidate is currently serving in a judicial position that they were elected to in the last election.
Alternatively, the candidate must:
Be a Justice of the Supreme Court or a Judge of the Court of Appeals.
Currently serve in that position as an appointee.
Have served in that position for at least twelve (12) months.

Affected Parties

This legislation primarily affects:
- Judicial Appointees: Individuals currently appointed to the positions of Justice of the Supreme Court or Judge of the Court of Appeals who wish to run for election.
- Voters: The bill may influence voter perception and recognition of candidates by allowing them to present their current titles, potentially enhancing their credibility.

Procedural Timeline

Introduced: March 25, 2025

Passed: The bill underwent several readings and was passed by both the House and Senate on April 10, 2025.

Enacted: The bill was officially notified as Act 715 on April 16, 2025.

Legislative Actions

March 25, 2025: Filed in the House.

April 1, 2025: Read for the first time and referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs.

April 3, 2025: Returned by the Committee with a recommendation to pass.

April 10, 2025: Passed by both chambers and ordered to be transmitted to the Governor's Office.

April 16, 2025: Notification that HB 1891 is now Act 715.

Conclusion

Act 715 represents a significant change in the way judicial candidates can present themselves during elections, particularly benefiting those who are currently serving as appointees. By allowing the use of official titles, the bill aims to enhance the visibility and recognition of candidates in nonpartisan judicial elections in Arkansas.

Bill