House committee concurs on several Senate amendments; amendment to HB1695 fails on roll call

At a meeting of the City, County & Local Affairs Committee of the Arkansas House, members voted to concur in Senate amendments to several House bills and debated changes to municipal lien procedures. Representative Justin Gonzales presented Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1701 (an ADEQ-requested technical amendment) and the committee concurred by voice vote. Representatives also concurred by voice with two Senate amendments to House Bill 1555. A motion to concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1695, which would adjust timelines and notice language related to municipal liens, was debated, the committee recessed to correct drafting errors, and the motion ultimately failed on a roll-call vote.

The votes mattered to cities, title companies and lenders because the HB1695 amendment package addressed time frames for perfecting municipal liens, notification language for lienholders and removal of a proposed notice to the land commissioner. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality requested the technical change to HB1701, and representatives of the Arkansas Municipal League and trade groups worked with sponsors on HB1555 and HB1695…