Arkansas Code Revision Commission approves technical corrections to 2025 acts, holds several items for follow‑up

The Arkansas Code Revision Commission on June 19 approved a series of technical corrections to acts from the 2025 Regular Session and directed staff to follow up on several issues that require sponsor or departmental input.

Kevin Koon, Arkansas Code Revisor, introduced Item F, explaining staff reviews acts after a session and brings identified errors to the commission’s attention. The corrections were organized into categories: manifest reference errors (A1–A7), grammatical errors (B1–B2), other errors (C1–C7), conflicts involving repeals (D1–D9), and conflicts involving amendments (E1–E4).

For manifest reference errors, commissioners discussed omitted language and whether words or numbers should control in a given section; Jennifer Davis of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services told the commission the words should be “forty-six minutes” to match the numbers in one suggested correction. Sponsors who reviewed their measures generally agreed: Representative Jay Richardson supported the suggested correction for a sponsoring act, and Representative Jimmy Gazaway, as lead sponsor on other items, agreed with staff suggestions. Senator Clarke Tucker moved to approve suggested corrections for items A1–A6; Representative Gazaway seconded and the motion was adopted. Item A7 was held for staff to contact the sponsor for clarification.

Koon introduced grammatical items B1 and B2; the commission approved those corrections after Representative Karilyn Brown (lead sponsor for B2) confirmed agreement. Mr. Koon also presented other errors (C1–C7); commissioners approved corrections for C1–C4 and C7 and held items C5 and C6 for sponsor and relevant department input.

On conflicts involving repeals, commissioners reviewed the historical practice that repealing acts often control over amending acts. Sharon Strong, executive director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, explained Act 429’s purpose and told commissioners there would be no practical problems with the repealing act controlling in that instance. The commission approved suggested corrections for D1–D8 and held D9 for further contact with Alcohol Beverage Control.

Finally, for conflicts involving amendments (E1–E4), primary sponsors Representative David Ray (Act 288) and Representative Howard Beaty (Act 944) indicated agreement with staff suggestions, and the commission approved those corrections.

Chair Shepherd asked staff to contact sponsors and relevant departments on the held items and to report back at the next commission meeting.