House committee rejects bill to ban use of public funds for association lobbying

House Bill 17-93, a proposal to limit use of taxpayer dollars for lobbying by intergovernmental associations, failed in committee after roughly 15 minutes of testimony and debate.

Representative McKenzie introduced the bill and closed for it after public testimony and member questions. Proponents said the measure would prevent government-funded political advocacy; opponents said it would remove services counties and cities rely on.

The bill drew testimony from a mix of private citizens and association officials. Paul Calvert, who identified himself as a long-time citizen witness, said he supports the bill because taxpayers should not fund political advocacy. "I have to compete with tax funded lobbyists," Calvert told the committee, and he said the bill “takes it a step in the right direction.”

Margaret Darter, Faulkner County clerk and president of the County Clerk's Association, testified against the bill, saying the association provides training and operational support county offices use daily. "They help facilitate getting all the clerks down here to cover what we need," Darter said, adding that smaller counties rely on association staff for payroll and legal guidance.

John Wilkerson, general counsel for the Arkansas Municipal League, told the committee the municipal league operates under an interlocal agreement and provides education, legal defense and risk-management services for cities that otherwise could not send representatives to Little Rock. He said the league uses dues and administrative funds to run those services and asked the committee to vote no.

Committee members pressed on how the bill would affect services. Representative Wardlaw and others asked whether the legislative measure would prevent mayors, county judges or clerks from being present at the Capitol; sponsor McKenzie and proponents said the measure targets the use of tax dollars for paid lobbying by organizations rather than the ability of elected officials to advocate. Representative Baldridge sought clarification on whether elected officials paid by government would be prohibited from lobbying while on the clock; the sponsor responded the bill as written targets organizations that hire lobbyists rather than barring individuals from advocating on their own time.

A motion to "do pass" was made during the meeting and called for a voice vote. The chair announced, "The noes have it," and the bill failed in committee. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript for this motion.

The record shows strong disagreement over the bill's reach: supporters emphasized preventing taxpayer-funded advocacy, while county and municipal representatives said many routine, nonlobbying services would be jeopardized. Several witnesses urged members to consider alternative language if the goal is limited to paid lobbying rather than broader association activity.

With the bill defeated, committee members moved on to other agenda items later in the session.