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HJR 1011 would allow filing regular bills during the fiscal session's opening two-week window
Summary
Representative Meeks proposed HJR 1011 to allow legislators to file regular (non-fiscal) bills during a two-week window spanning one week before and one week after the start of even-year fiscal sessions; sponsor said the change would give lawmakers additional time to vet bills when they are already in Little Rock.
Representative Meeks presented House Joint Resolution 1011, a shorter constitutional amendment that would let lawmakers file regular bills during a two-week window at the start of even-year fiscal sessions: one week before and one week after the fiscal session begins. Meeks described the change as a way to reduce time pressure during the brief fiscal session and allow lawmakers who are already in Little Rock to introduce and refine legislation without waiting a year and a half for the next regular session.
Meeks said the proposal would give sponsors the opportunity to better vet bills, assemble stakeholders and avoid rushed last-minute votes that can accompany the compressed fiscal-session schedule. He cited examples — including an emergency director’s authority exercised during COVID and a short-lived crypto facility action — to argue that lawmakers need quicker opportunities to respond when circumstances arise.
Committee members did not record a committee vote during the hearing; Meeks closed by asking for consideration of the resolution.
