Senate committee advances bill removing mandatory secretary role for Arkansas Trails Council member

Senate Bill 251 was advanced by the Arkansas Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development after sponsor Senator Matt Stone said the change was requested by an agency to remove a mandatory administrative duty.

Senator Matt Stone, R‑District 2, told the committee that under current law a member of the Arkansas Trails Council who sits on the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Council must serve as that council's secretary. The bill would remove the stipulation that the Trails Council member serve as secretary, making that assignment discretionary.

Stone said the bill was brought at the agency's request and did not identify any organized opposition during the committee hearing. No members of the public spoke for or against the measure during the committee session.

After Stone closed, he moved to pass the bill. Senator Lading seconded the motion, and the committee approved the bill by voice vote.

The measure will proceed to the next legislative step per the committee's rules; no further schedule was stated during the hearing.