News

On November 15, the Arkansas Legislative Council voted in favor of recommending the proposed settlement of the Pulaski County Desegregation Case presented by Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.  Click here to read the proposed settlement. A hearing is scheduled before a federal judge on December 9th.  All parties have now agreed to settle the case. […]

The 89th General Assembly adjourned the 1st Extraordinary Session of 2013 just after midnight Saturday morning. The purpose of the session was to find a temporary and long-term solution to a recent spike in teacher’s health insurance. The chair of the House Education committee and the chair of the House Insurance and Commerce committee held […]

As part of an ongoing effort to increase communication between members and constituents, the Arkansas House of Representatives is releasing video biographies of its members.   The video series is titled "Meet the Rep." In the videos, members will describe what makes their district unique.  They will also share stories about their professional and family life back […]

The Arkansas House of Representatives has launched a new video series with our House Parliamentarian.   In the videos, Buddy Johnson describes how bills are presented, what is expected of members, and procedures designed to ensure a fair voting process. In the latest segment, we review how votes are cast.

The House passed a resolution approving changes to House Rules on Wednesday. Click here to read the newly adopted Rules. Changes include extending the waiting period from the time a bill is passed in committee to when it can be introduced on the House floor. The waiting period would be extended from one day to […]

Moments after Arkansas House Speaker Davy Carter was sworn into office, he announced his selection for Speaker Pro-Tempore and for chairpersons of the House 10 standing committees. Click here to see newly selected standing committee membership and the chairs for the 89th General Assembly. Click here to see House members of Legislative Joint Auditing, Arkansas […]

Arkansas House Speaker for the 89th General Assembly Davy Carter will be speaking that Clinton School of Public of Service at noon on Friday.  Speaker Carter will be talking about what Arkansans can expect in the upcoming session which begins at noon on Monday, January 14. Speaker Carter spoke to reporters earlier this week in a preview session hosted by the Associated […]

In this upcoming session, House members will no longer be using paper to follow bills in committee rooms. Instead they will be using computer tablets. On the tablets, members will be able to view every bill being discussed and follow presentations. There were 1,230 House bills filed in the last regular session. Members also filed […]

This week, I am in the process of a bitter-sweet task as I pack up my belongings from the office of the Speaker of the House. The new Speaker will need this space to prepare for the challenging session that lies ahead. The Speaker’s office is on the third floor of the Capitol. The window […]

Members-elect of the 89th General Assembly voted Rep. Davy Carter (R-Cabot) to serve as Speaker-elect. Rep. Carter will preside over the House during the next Regular Session.  52 votes were cast for Rep. Carter. 45 were cast for nominee Rep. Terry Rice. “I’m committed to working with a diverse membership to accomplish what is best […]

Arkansas House Speaker Robert S. Moore, Jr. passed the gavel to Speaker-elect Davy Carter Monday morning in the House Chamber. Carter is now presiding over the Legislative Institute which helps to orientate incoming members before the next Regular Session. In his final remarks before the assembly, Speaker Moore emphasized the importance of working together. "When […]

Department of Finance and Administration Director Richard Weiss presented the Governor's proposed balanced budget before the Arkansas Legislative Council and Joint Budget Committee on Thursday morning. The proposal calls for a 4.4% increase in spending for Fiscal Year 2013. It calls for a 3.7% increase in spending for Fiscal Year 2014. The Governor is proposing […]