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HR 1012

TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO REQUIRE THAT A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BE SELECTED AS A DESIGNATED SURVIVOR.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stephen Meeks

HR 1012 would require the Speaker to appoint a senior House member as a designated survivor to assume the Speaker’s duties during a joint meeting if disaster interrupts leadership.

Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HR 1012

Summary — HR 1012 (95th Arkansas General Assembly, 2025)

Status: House resolution to amend House rules; introduced February 5, 2025. Final status: died on the House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment (listed May 5, 2025).

Purpose

To add a rule requiring the Speaker of the Arkansas House to select a "designated survivor" — a member of the House who would succeed to the office of Speaker (including its powers, duties, and emoluments) if the Speaker and a majority of House members are killed, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to serve during a joint meeting of the General Assembly and constitutional officers.

Key provisions

  • Amends Rule 11 (duties of the Speaker) to add subsection 11.(r) requiring the Speaker to appoint a designated survivor before any joint meeting of the House and Senate at which all members and constitutional officers are invited.
  • Definition and succession:
    • "Designated survivor" is a House member who would succeed to the office of Speaker and exercise the Speaker’s powers until the Speaker’s inability is removed or a new Speaker is elected and qualified.
  • Eligibility requirements for the designated survivor:
    • Must be a member of the House with a seniority ranking in the top one-third of the chamber.
    • Must meet all qualifications to serve as Governor under Arkansas Constitution, Article 6, § 5.
  • Operational/security requirements for joint meeting days:
    • The designated survivor must leave the State Capitol at least one hour before the joint meeting to a location at least five miles away and not return until at least one hour after the meeting ends.
    • The Speaker must notify and coordinate with the Division of Emergency Management to select an appropriate off-site location; the location cannot be the designated survivor’s residence.
  • Legislative formalities:
    • If attendance is taken, the designated survivor is announced and counted as present and counts toward quorum for any legislative body meeting on that day.
    • The designated survivor is eligible for mileage and per diem related to that service.

Who is affected

  • Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives (selection pool limited by seniority and gubernatorial qualifications).
  • The Speaker’s office (new duty to appoint and coordinate).
  • Division of Emergency Management (to assist in selecting/approving secure locations).
  • House administrative functions (attendance/quorum rules and travel/per diem).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • HR 1012 is a House resolution that would amend internal House rules (not a statute).
  • Introduced February 5, 2025. The measure did not become effective; it died on the House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment (May 5, 2025).

Potential implications

  • Purposefully addresses continuity of legislative leadership during catastrophic events affecting a joint session.
  • Restricts eligible survivors to more senior members who meet gubernatorial qualifications, which narrows the pool.
  • Imposes logistical and coordination responsibilities (Division of Emergency Management, travel/per diem).
  • As a rules change, the proposal operates within House internal governance rather than through statutory succession mechanisms; legal or constitutional questions about broader succession could arise if ever invoked.

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

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