[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6302952,"mediaKeyId","2475738-29b7a530e4788093fef1d9e90005cff5","parentId",2475738,"title","House committee advances bill to remove race and gender membership requirements for state boards","audioSeconds",3978,"startMs",75000,"endMs",4053000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475738-29b7a530e4788093fef1d9e90005cff5&start=75&end=4053","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475738-29b7a530e4788093fef1d9e90005cff5/thumbnail_75000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6302952/Arkansas/House-committee-advances-bill-to-remove-race-and-gender-membership-requirements-for-state-boards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302952-542db8a4f1e169fb0ec9f721b1a2a687/orig.mp4?Expires=1777224572&Signature=W62a9Oh39UXd2dyz9t9lb0guZhJ~h~a80TLp-9EBHRXx2pHkVh0hj8ToZp4XHyTk8wXOOc-~SnfUrCGHV3zw5Ik~Z854KgJW8Uuby98cWZW6AH31-oIuzFUdld9dcUKl14NAnM6VVfSL9RVLABhqQFhGfmfJxLwvuAEDkTFPcf7T63hzgVe59opbdUciKANqyzR4XIvc8ILRSDb~-VzUyU~GO39bT564lwJXmJUUqcUOHBonL1njrgmhYlHag8jXfkzXQhzsMB6LTlYp41iYTflfPxTjFo5g-lyJRaxhoRDIV47ZcuVqdTpjSgISty~aCvMQTK36Ah~AH1-ETOAbfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas State Legislature","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Carolyn Brown (R., Dist. 67) presented House Bill 13‑65 to the House State Agencies Committee and the panel voted to pass the bill out of committee.

The measure would remove race- and gender‑based membership qualifications from 22 code sections that set composition or representational goals for boards, task forces and commissions. \"This is a very simple bill,\" Brown said in opening remarks, saying it \"simply removes racial and gender quotas\" and ties the change to the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantees of equal protection.

Supporters: legal challenge risk and constitutional argument

Laura D'Agostino of the Pacific Legal Foundation, a witness for the bill, told the committee her organization is litigating and has litigated similar quotas in other states. She said statutes that require appointing authorities to base appointments on race or gender create legal exposure and treat citizens as members of a class rather than as individuals. \"Statutes that require appointing authorities to discriminate against their own citizens when making appointments to public boards is one area where we are actively litigating cases,\" D'Agostino said, referencing recent litigation in other states and a 2023 Arkansas matter involving the social work licensing board.

Committee concerns: cultural competency, geographic distribution and targeted commissions

Several committee members asked detailed questions about specific code sections the bill would change. Representative Clowney pressed the sponsor on whether the bill removed provisions meant to ensure cultural competency and protect minority‑health considerations; Clowney said, \"I haven't heard from a single Arkansan who is harmed by the status of the law as it is right now,\" and asked for concrete examples of local harm. Representative Collins asked why language requiring equitable geographic representation for community college boards would be struck, and whether removing that language risks concentrating appointees in population centers.

Representative Brown and the witness replied that removing statutory quotas would not stop appointing authorities from seeking geographic or demographic balance and that the sponsor's intent is to open volunteer opportunities rather than to prevent diversity. \"We're not prioritizing any advantage to any race or gender... It's advantage is to make it open to everybody, to make it equal an equal opportunity for everybody,\" Brown said.

Several lawmakers said the bill also removes statutory language tied to the commission on closing the achievement gap and other stakeholder lists. Representative Collins and others said those items are designed to bring voices affected by the issues to advisory bodies; Collins cautioned against describing legislative repeal of those provisions as a judicial \"overturning.\" D'Agostino said one reason for the bill is to prevent repeated constitutional challenges and litigation, noting the state had removed a social work board quota after similar litigation was filed.

Vote and next steps

After debate the committee moved to pass HB 13‑65. The chair called the roll; multiple members recorded \"aye,\" and several recorded \"no.\" The committee adopted the motion and passed the bill out of committee. The bill will move to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration.

Ending

Representative Brown closed by reiterating the bill's purpose: to eliminate what she called unconstitutional race and gender quotas and to allow boards and commissions to be filled by volunteers considered on merit. The committee had no witnesses formally signed for or against during this hearing, and members indicated additional floor and public debate could follow.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State Agencies - Governmental Affairs Committee - Mar 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Carolyn Brown (R., Dist. 67) presented House Bill 13‑65 to the House State Agencies Committee and the panel voted to pass the bill out of committee.","taxTitle","STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS- HOUSE, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",21186,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6302947,"Committee hears amendment to remove slavery exception from state constitution; witness describes prison labor experiences",292,4460000,4752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475738-29b7a530e4788093fef1d9e90005cff5&start=4460&end=4752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475738-29b7a530e4788093fef1d9e90005cff5/thumbnail_4460000.jpg","/articles/6302947/Arkansas/Committee-hears-amendment-to-remove-slavery-exception-from-state-constitution-witness-describes-prison-labor-experiences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302947-4c2be633737f386805c83b993899073e/orig.mp4?Expires=1777224572&Signature=CMvIW2A0K3dk1JF7Ta9vCXX48gnnznFqcVcX8-IrlGpB66yBVu2qZnZ1GcaAYCBmMJI1NRweUtIoaQqQgsl6vRR4V-PjySq0lYa34T7WZhWWJYknYzhoW3wOxVmv0T00lj9z5HlDbIvz0QvEj2c9SJxsqal~d-60Zdueni40irVq5wdFgaEs~yDO045uFePc6pmD4m~2vg~eihwHPytfSGagtoFKBAC-Vm9O0iPyU5WO1BOFiRKAq1cV5SJjFUx2VbHaz73RFzU~SXcBYxgN3Mq082itIDucBZkv3-1~g0N6JuTqTSruuUaR5mh9YDABlJv8q5LXmP2JJ8plWNTZPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Richardson presented House Joint Resolution 1,002 to the House State Agencies Committee, proposing a constitutional amendment to repeal the clause that permits slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime from the Arkansas Constitution.

The sponsor described the amendment as an effort to \"fully abolish slavery in all forms\" in the state constitution and to give voters the opportunity to remove the exception that applies when someone is convicted of a crime.

Witness testimony: lived experience and claims about prison labor

Kaleem Nazim, testifying for the organization Decarcerate, told the committee he spent 28 years and 11 months incarcerated and described practices he said amounted to forced labor. Nazim said refusal to work in prison could trigger punitive sanctions including loss of visitation, commissary privileges or placement in solitary confinement; he described so‑called \"host squads\" and alleged inmates were used for domestic work at wardens' homes. \"If you don't go to work, you receive a punishment... it's forced labor,\" Nazim said, and urged the committee to remove the constitutional exception.

Committee questions and missing agency testimony

Committee members asked whether staff from the Department of Correction could address current prison labor policies; none were present. The chair and Representative Ray asked whether the same policy objectives could be achieved by statute rather than a constitutional amendment; Richardson answered that the change must be made through a constitutional amendment because the exception appears in Article 2, Section 27 of the state constitution.

The committee did not take a vote on the resolution; the item was presented and heard. No departmental representatives were recorded as answering the committee's request for technical detail about current DOC labor programs or disciplinary consequences for inmates who decline work assignments.

Ending

Proponents urged the committee to forward the amendment for eventual voter consideration so that Arkansas' constitution no longer contains language permitting slavery or involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. The committee heard the testimony and questions but did not act on the amendment during this meeting.","Representative Richardson presented HJR 1,002 to remove the constitutional clause that permits slavery or involuntary servitude as punishment for crime, and a witness with decades of incarceration experience described conditions he said amounted to forced labor.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6302942,"Committee hears constitutional amendment to allow recall elections for constitutional officers; members raise costs and continuity questions",547,5436000,5983000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475738-29b7a530e4788093fef1d9e90005cff5&start=5436&end=5983","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475738-29b7a530e4788093fef1d9e90005cff5/thumbnail_5436000.jpg","/articles/6302942/Arkansas/Committee-hears-constitutional-amendment-to-allow-recall-elections-for-constitutional-officers-members-raise-costs-and-continuity-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302942-34b5b2f0cc094a2d14f8b2ea118fa645/orig.mp4?Expires=1777224572&Signature=Dx3XWDdqNiz702Ek9MNtY1G~SW~FtgjCG40SkpyZtaAVtRyNtbZYQNAyRy0WwiwfWMnVVW5YeECqF94LsG5SNi47cpq2a7q~9696nCCuCd-t95YLkJqZLljIyaHMnjNroZFQSW906yr6jObanOAQGxv9ce9rGlPCXF0DKwTu1GbFd-pzwC5sTY7AVa14qU18JYpXXPPM-0S~D56IkBEKcAUfK8aKcpK3bqVv-C5IWEuNsnXvsxtkbXvrvcGTlmYpqgzcYju1sDEHO3yurF15aJh85fJ9NO7TczGKLDNSeIbbYim6lJ9Nipjzb3dHpts8CqoFhFOHtfY5PKwF3C~iwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Kavanaugh presented House Joint Resolution 1,007 to the House State Agencies Committee, proposing a constitutional amendment that would create a recall procedure for officers whose offices are established by the state constitution.

The sponsor said the amendment sets parameters for petitions, signature thresholds and election timing so voters could remove constitutional officers if they choose. \"This just sets the guidelines of what it would take for a recall,\" Kavanaugh said, and added he had repeatedly filed similar proposals.

Council and committee questions

Committee members pressed the sponsor on a range of procedural and practical issues. Representative Rose asked whether two recall elections could occur simultaneously (for example, a recall of the secretary of state and the governor); Kavanaugh said that was possible under the way the amendment is drafted. Representative Wooldridge and others asked whether a recall during or near a regular election could create conflicting ballots and practical difficulties; the sponsor said the amendment includes timing rules tied to a 120‑day window that would, in some circumstances, place a recall on a general election ballot to reduce cost.

Representative Meeks and others asked about signature verification and whether the petition rules the committee has recently discussed would be incorporated. The sponsor said the language sets signature thresholds and some verification guidance; additional statutory rules would supplement petition administration. Representative Crawford asked about election costs and the possibility of special elections; Kavanaugh said the amendment addresses expenses and the process for determining whether a recall would coincide with a general election.

Scope and concerns

Lawmakers noted the amendment would cover nearly all constitutional offices, including judges and statewide elected officials, and raised concerns about unintended consequences such as politicizing judicial decisions or repeated recalls in short terms. Representative Beatty asked whether the committee would seek testimony from affected constitutional officers; the chair said he would consider whether to invite them to future hearings. Kavanaugh said his constituents had repeatedly asked for recall authority and that the proposal attempts to balance access to recall with procedural safeguards such as requiring significant signature thresholds and limiting recalls to one attempt per term.

Ending

The committee heard the proposal and several members requested follow‑up detail about ballot timing, signature verification and fiscal impacts; no committee vote was taken on HJR 1,007 during this meeting.","Representative Kavanaugh presented HJR 1,007 to create a recall mechanism for offices established in the Arkansas Constitution. Committee members asked about timing, costs of special elections, simultaneous recalls and signature verification; sponsor said the amendment sets required petition and election procedures and that statutory change alone ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee advances bill to remove race and gender membership requirements for state boards

Committee hears amendment to remove slavery exception from state constitution; witness describes prison labor experiences

Committee hears constitutional amendment to allow recall elections for constitutional officers; members raise costs and continuity questions