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Senate State Agencies panel fails to advance SB 743 redistricting map after contested debate
Summary
Senators debated Senate Bill 743, a proposed congressional redistricting map that splits parts of Pulaski and Sebastian counties and edges into municipal limits. Lawmakers disagreed over whether to pass a place‑setter map or spend more time tightening precinct‑level deviations; a motion to pass failed by voice vote.
The Senate State Agencies Committee considered Senate Bill 743, a proposed congressional redistricting map sponsored by Senator Jane English, but a motion to pass the bill out of committee failed after a contested debate and a voice vote.
Senator Jane English introduced SB 743 as a redistricting plan shaped by the 2020 census shifts, saying the map attempts to equalize districts to an ideal population of 752,881 people per congressional district. "I have here today Senate Bill 743, which is a redistricting map," English said, presenting district lines and the individual maps for each district.
Committee members focused on two technical and political fault lines: small deviations from the target population and whether municipalities and counties should be kept whole. The chair noted that reported deviations on the committee’s packet were less than 0.4 percent (the largest positive deviation listed at +0.39 and the largest negative at -0.37) and emphasized the committee is required to work at the precinct level and therefore cannot split precincts.
Several senators urged further fine‑tuning. One member said he and Representative Dodson had worked by computer and could reduce maximum deviations to roughly 300 people and keep Sherwood and Jacksonville whole, arguing such tweaks would bring maps closer to a "one person, one vote" ideal without triggering new problems. Senator Davis urged amendment on the floor to reduce deviations and restore whole municipalities, saying she would not support the map as drafted because it "splits cities." She offered to reconvene immediately after session to vote on an amended bill.
Other senators pressed for moving the process forward to avoid repeated cycles of late changes. Senate President Jimmy Hickey urged the committee to "pass this bill as is out of senate state agencies today" as a place‑setter for the calendar while committing to work with members so the map would not be heard on the floor until Friday, giving time for mutually agreeable amendments.
Concerns about racial and community impacts were raised. Senator Tucker requested precise population and racial‑demographic figures for the parts of Pulaski County placed in each district, warning that carving a predominantly African American area into three congressional districts could "invite trouble." Senator Matt Pich spoke in opposition on behalf of constituents in Sebastian County, saying the map — filed at 8:50 p.m. the night before — would again divide his county into thirds and that county officials and residents were upset by the short notice and the change.
After the debate, a motion to pass the bill was offered and seconded. The committee conducted a voice vote ("All those in favor, say aye"; "Aye"; "All those opposed, say no"; "No") and the chair announced the motion failed. The transcript does not record a roll‑call or numerical vote tally.
The committee concluded at the call of the chair and asked members to submit tightened maps immediately; members planned to reconvene after the legislative session’s short recess or before Friday to attempt amendments and further coordination with the House.
What’s next: Committee members said they intend either to produce a tighter map in committee that keeps municipalities whole while maintaining small deviations or to allow the bill to go forward as a place‑setter and pursue amendments before the scheduled Friday vote.
