Arkansas lawmakers filed 43 proposed constitutional amendments for the 2022 ballot, just one more than legislators submitted in the 2019 session.
The proposals cover a variety of topics including: partisan elections, a higher threshold for voter approval of ballot issues, renters rights, limits to lawsuit damages, eliminating personal property taxes, and more authority for lawmakers to call extraordinary sessions.
Several bills are shell bills, which are proposals that refer to a topic but do not specify what law would be added, removed or changed.
Members of the House and Senate committees on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs will narrow down the proposals in coming weeks.
The Arkansas Constitution allows legislators to refer up to three proposals to the public on the statewide ballot. Historically, one proposal comes from the House, one from the Senate and then a joint proposal.
Arkansas is one of 15 states where legislators and citizens can propose changes to the state constitution. Since 2011, legislators have referred 13 constitutional amendments to voters. Citizen groups have had six proposed amendments and laws on the ballot for voters to decide.
Arkansas' 1874 Constitution currently has 102 amendments, the latest which were approved by voters in November 2020 changing the state's term limit laws and approving a permanent 0.5% sales tax for roadwork and maintenance across the state.
