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Panel approves bill letting Code Revision Commission make technical corrections after constitutional amendments
Summary
Senate Bill 376 would authorize the Arkansas Code Revision Commission to make non-substantive edits (renumbering, redesignation, typographical fixes) when multiple acts amend the same section during a session, extending existing authority to sections affected by constitutional amendments; the committee passed it after member questions and assurances.
A Senate Insurance & Commerce committee approved a bill that would expand the Arkansas Code Revision Commission’s authority to make technical edits to statutory text that results from acts of the General Assembly, including those implementing constitutional amendments.
Senator Raiford, who presented Senate Bill 376, said the measure is part of the code-revision package and is designed to let the commission "square up" language — renumbering, redesignating and correcting manifest errors — so the legislature will not have to pass a separate bill to reconcile such changes after constitutional amendments. He described the bill as "very, very simple" and emphasized it does not change the substance of law.
Several members pressed the sponsor for clarifications. Senator Teague asked whether the bill effectively cedes legislative authority; he said he "probably" would vote no unless satisfied. Senator Chesterfield raised concerns about specific sections (citing language that would allow revisions if more than one act amending a section is enacted the same session) and said "that just begins to me to seem to be legislation," arguing reconciling meaning could overstep the commission’s technical role.
Raiford and staff responded that the same powers already apply to other statutes, that the commission's work is intended to be technical rather than substantive, and offered to share the language with counsel and members for further review. After no public comment, the committee took a motion to do pass, recorded a second and approved SB 376 by voice vote.
The committee did not record a roll-call vote or a floor sponsor on the motion in the transcript; members requested further review of the exact language before floor consideration. The bill moves forward in the legislative process and sponsors were asked to coordinate with counsel and staff to address members’ concerns where needed.
