[{"_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",6283264,"mediaKeyId","2589187-95b5b5300a590e77a9d50ad56787376b","parentId",2589187,"title","Committee approves ballot‑draw standardization bill after debate over local practice and training","audioSeconds",2992,"startMs",3069920,"endMs",6061945,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2589187-95b5b5300a590e77a9d50ad56787376b&start=3069&end=6061","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2589187-95b5b5300a590e77a9d50ad56787376b/thumbnail_3069920.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283264/Arkansas/Committee-approves-ballotdraw-standardization-bill-after-debate-over-local-practice-and-training","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283264-ad0f5231798082b723241198ee1b264a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200671&Signature=aM5JC3worBcaNf0QWHFH3PZknney92oK3Yt8Ll4SDLgPBhJ6mn05bsJtDZdWlAOyhde51KaDzjfIw1aym8yGIC2kEwt2ddN0Hy5AIDEs9kly8SWRMZQUcB9kKTUFWMWHyW4MedEsDlVg2rmYuIV39h9h85jUC~34wDT1BXiYdqTpYcaHN4fyV6-BuauVkRHeu-3Ds1kiIni5soLFWoCsTc0kPYzTSD1tdsS0Bf1ko5LqyMC21clH8-X~nYSBi~fN1TAgI3R9u9DmyIFrxQsDuWiJtaXqaL5kTDy84TxBCY2Zrs29414a8NdafWCTmIqepbMyaXCbmOv8OmZLy2Gthw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","Representative John Carr, R‑District 15, presented House Bill 1070 — the Ballot Draw Standardization Act of 2025 — to the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee as a statutory clarification of how counties determine ballot order for general elections. Carr told the committee the bill would require county clerks to certify the date and time of candidate filings to county election commissions and would set a default, transparent ordering method for drawing ballot positions.

Carr said the statute that currently governs ballot order — read during the hearing as Ark. Code §7‑5‑207(c)(1) — is “very vague” and that new or replacement election commissioners sometimes lack clear guidance. “This bill clearly defines how to conduct the ballot draw … but it still leaves ultimate control to the election commission,” Carr said.

Kim Dennison, identified as Benton County election coordinator, and several county election officials described the bill as formalizing a process many counties already use: compile candidates by contest, order them by date and time of filing, and allow a present candidate to draw first. Dennison told the committee that 10 counties provided feedback during drafting and that several large counties already use a comparable method. “This bill would just require that a date and time be certified to the election commission and the list be in this order when it's received,” she said.

Opposition testimony was mixed. The County Clerks Association opposed the bill in committee testimony and offered a late amendment the sponsors declined; Faulkner County coordinator Laura Wiles and other clerks told members the legally required imperative is that the draw be public and random. Some county election commissioners and clerks raised concerns about added paperwork and training. Representative Anthony Beatty, who previously served as a county election commission chair, said current state training already covers the basic by‑lot requirement and warned the bill could add 30–45 minutes of required training.

Proponents replied that the bill provides written statutory guidance so new commissioners and coordinators can run draws consistently without having to call other counties for help. Several commissioners who testified said the measure increases transparency and public confidence in the draw process.

After questions from committee members, Representative Carr moved that the committee “do pass.” The committee conducted a recorded vote and then the chair announced the bill had passed out of committee.

Why it matters: counties run hundreds of ballot draws; supporters framed the bill as reducing confusion and ensuring a documented, consistent process for newer election officials. Opponents said the change could be unnecessary and burdensome where long‑standing local practices already work.

Actions and votes: Representative John Carr moved “do pass” on HB1070. The committee approved the bill after discussion and a recorded roll call vote; the committee chair announced a favorable outcome and said, “Congratulations. You passed your bill.”

Implementation notes: the bill as presented would keep ultimate authority with county election commissions while requiring a time‑stamped filing list from county clerks. Sponsors said the bill is intended to standardize practice, not to replace local discretion about how to draw by lot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State Agencies - Governmental Affairs Committee Mar 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers approved a bill to standardize how county election commissions prepare filing lists and run ballot draws, after proponents said the change gives new commissioners clear statutory guidance and opponents warned it may be unnecessary.","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},6283269,"Arkansas committee hears hours of testimony on bill to keep standard time year‑round; proposal fails in committee",3039,19975,3059610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2589187-95b5b5300a590e77a9d50ad56787376b&start=19&end=3059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2589187-95b5b5300a590e77a9d50ad56787376b/thumbnail_19975.jpg","/articles/6283269/Arkansas/Arkansas-committee-hears-hours-of-testimony-on-bill-to-keep-standard-time-yearround-proposal-fails-in-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283269-e3aa81432a1c30fd0095b7d1a04175fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200671&Signature=ls12UTdEUY2yVuGYNSA3LNQxyF0in2ATxEDB~6EWYQ1Z47jy4xX6kk~pLRZiOjp3ClCH5EVikh6ImFoe~5I06cU~WTFhFvrOAMqiDt-SvZVmymS2b83tNfNzKwDAnST7sEPH5w2ca~MCQRoaKm2OPM0mGeNmt2FpPxJoueqH8ekCPs1BAJHuZt2RZTUkY1tsUY4IkPbQWC2zUnXUuIdEpLKsWAbgwjswVm2hkd9xOgyI30wFEdoYBj5f7GsQJBQTjxvo~NHrBvLFiNoaAP-bDHyNUzpiKzcANzV8E9Ozr~4qVBcfir4pSY~ic3stok7v8HUkDOtxbeRQo3pGTLaitQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Steven Meeks, R‑District 42, told the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee that House Bill 1069, which would stop observing daylight saving time and keep Arkansas on standard time year‑round, would “affect the health and well‑being, both physically and mentally, of every citizen of the state.”

Meeks opened with a brief history of daylight saving time and argued that switching clocks harms sleep and public health. “The only option we have to lock the clock as it currently stand is to go to standard time year round,” Meeks said, urging members to prioritize what he described as health benefits for children and the broader population.

The bill’s supporters included Elspeth Fast, identified in the hearing as a behavioral sleep specialist and adjunct professor at the Alice Walton School of Medicine, who described published positions from medical organizations in support of permanent standard time. “This bill to eliminate daylight savings time in Arkansas and observe standard time year round is an investment in the long term health of Arkansans,” Fast testified, citing links between circadian disruption and cardiovascular, metabolic and mental‑health harms.

Opposition testimony focused on practical disruptions and costs. Neil Gladner, executive director of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association, said broadcasters and stations would face scheduling confusion and potential technical and programming costs if Arkansas remained on a different clock than surrounding states. Gladner told the committee that statewide broadcasting contributes significant employment and economic activity and asked members to consider that impact.

Committee members pressed Meeks on border effects, technology changes that update phones and devices, and whether a federal solution would be preferable. Meeks said a trigger amendment he offered would delay adopting year‑round standard time until a neighboring state adopted it as well, to limit cross‑border confusion. Meeks also described an amendment to the bill that would allow a “summer schedule” option if the federal government later adopted a year‑round daylight saving time.

After roughly an hour of debate, including statements from clinicians, teachers and parents cited by Meeks and Fast, Representative Meeks moved that HB1069 “do pass as amended.” Committee members voted by voice; the committee chair announced that the “noes” prevailed and that the bill had failed to advance out of committee. Earlier in the morning the panel adopted a preliminary amendment offered by Meeks to add cosponsors.

Why it matters: supporters framed HB1069 as a public‑health measure tied to sleep, teen education and suicide prevention; opponents emphasized cross‑border coordination, technical and broadcast industry costs, and the practicalities of implementation. The committee’s vote ended consideration of the bill in this committee.

Votes and formal actions: An amendment to add cosponsors was adopted by voice vote during the presentation. A final motion by Representative Steven Meeks to “do pass as amended” failed by voice vote; the chair announced that the bill did not pass the committee.

Next steps: The committee adjourned HB1069 without a favorable committee report; no federal action was recorded during the hearing and Meeks noted he would accept a trigger approach if the panel preferred to wait for neighboring states or Congress.","After extended testimony and expert witnesses, the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee declined to advance Rep. Steven Meeks' bill to adopt year‑round standard time; an amendment to add cosponsors was adopted earlier in the hearing.",{"_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},6283259,"Committee approves bill to let public projects solicit multiple lighting‑agency price schedules; architects and contractors dispute effect",2778,6156440,8934950,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2589187-95b5b5300a590e77a9d50ad56787376b&start=6156&end=8934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2589187-95b5b5300a590e77a9d50ad56787376b/thumbnail_6156440.jpg","/articles/6283259/Arkansas/Committee-approves-bill-to-let-public-projects-solicit-multiple-lightingagency-price-schedules-architects-and-contractors-dispute-effect","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283259-de44c7f8c6a72813fcaa664aceced0c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200671&Signature=Dn7E1zMQUumYkYZc8toeXTCirMBcNoxW229uSrLAxa8ur5U35ubmcZ8Q-gA5at5aWZcBIoIMKNzTafKTFzV88K~7z-r0cB6RzTc6s7TgBQbmmZkT6KrzvIlHMt3RdDR~LfPebX1S8c-piAoYUCsi5v9hzhEto2QRviyxl1TQ-JGvYfCsoo~oBuZw3jMoO6GttP9gb9G44pnMVX7ESCVDERIQC4bjPhPy58mIdg182B~GgyYXA-jl-vIom3Uo8Ju-iI3NmKZla1txbsHgl5~p5HP28SHdCgUwOSkLaH3B9zK~bqh83g5Kwi0zTHQk-BrS6ti3BpAkC98KY4I4yjYf-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative McGrew (as identified in the hearing) presented House Bill 1560 to the State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee as legislation to increase competition and transparency in pricing for lighting fixtures on public construction projects. McGrew said the bill would allow designers to solicit pricing from multiple lighting agencies during the design phase so general contractors and subcontractors could see competing fixture prices.

Todd Welch, identified as president of AIA Arkansas, backed the bill and said the measure would increase competition because fixture packages are commonly closed around a single lighting representative. “If we open that to three different bids … then the lowest bid out of the three will be the low — there’s a better chance of getting a lower price,” Welch said, explaining his view that competition among lighting representatives can reduce costs without undercutting quality.

Opponents including Joshua Maddox, testifying for the Association of General Contractors and other industry groups, argued the bill could steer business, change design incentives and create administrative burden. Maddox told the committee asking for multiple pre‑bid fixture price packages could bias specifications and narrow design choices; he said the bill risks prioritizing first cost over life‑cycle performance.

Contractors and subcontractors warned of duplication of effort and lost buying‑power. Courtney Little, speaking for contractor interests, said requiring multiple agencies to prepare pricing schedules would multiply the work of suppliers and could raise costs by undermining bulk purchasing efficiencies and by adding time and expense to prebid budgeting. That argument was echoed by other subcontractors who told the panel the added cost of multiple prebid packages could outweigh potential savings.

Proponents replied that modern electronic workflows make it simple for multiple agencies to provide price comparisons and that the bill explicitly allows architects and engineers to require a specific fixture when design needs demand it. Representative McGrew said the bill does not force a purchase of the lowest bid; it would only make prices transparent earlier in the design process.

After question and answer, the committee moved to a voice vote and the chair announced “The ayes have it. Congratulations. You passed your bill.”

Why it matters: the bill targets a narrow procurement step on public projects — the lighting fixture schedule — and supporters framed the measure as a way to encourage competition and save taxpayer dollars. Opponents warned the change could increase administrative and procurement costs and unintentionally limit designers’ ability to choose fixtures for performance or aesthetic reasons.

Actions: Representative McGrew moved that HB1560 do pass; the committee approved the bill by voice vote and the chair announced the bill had passed out of committee.","House Bill 1560, which would require public projects to allow pricing from multiple lighting agencies at the design stage to increase competition for fixtures, cleared committee after proponents said the change would create transparency and savings; industry witnesses warned of unintended costs and administrative burdens.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves ballot‑draw standardization bill after debate over local practice and training

Arkansas committee hears hours of testimony on bill to keep standard time year‑round; proposal fails in committee

Committee approves bill to let public projects solicit multiple lighting‑agency price schedules; architects and contractors dispute effect