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Representative Long asks committee to study measure requiring six-month residency proof before adult benefit enrollment
Summary
Representative Wayne Long presented HB 1908 to require proof of Arkansas residency for six months before adults could enroll in certain state benefits; the committee agreed to place the measures in interim study.
Wayne Long, who represents House District 39, presented House Bill 1908 proposing that adult applicants provide proof of Arkansas residency for at least six months before becoming eligible for certain state benefits. Long said the idea came after a constituent who had recently moved to Arkansas complained about in-migrants seeking benefits immediately after arrival.
Long described the bill as targeting adults (not children) and said accepted proofs of residency would include a bank statement or utility bill showing an Arkansas address. Committee members raised concerns about unintended impacts on people with developmental disabilities, veterans who live in shelters, and people experiencing homelessness.
Representative Pilkington and Representative Richardson both pointed out scenarios—such as developmentally disabled adults and homeless veterans—where a rigid six-month proof requirement could deny access to needed services. Long acknowledged he had not fully considered those groups and said he intended to include the measure in interim study so he could collect stakeholder input and refine the proposal.
The committee agreed without objection to place HB 1908 and a related bill (HB 1909) into interim study so the sponsor can work on implementation issues, including exemptions or clarifying language for vulnerable populations.
The transcript records the immediate action as referral to interim study; no vote on the underlying bill occurred at this hearing.
