Code Revision Commission approves LexisNexis contract extension and replacement Title 19 volumes

The Arkansas Code Revision Commission voted June 19 to exercise the first option to extend its publishing contract with LexisNexis and to replace Title 19 with two hardbound replacement volumes.

Chair Representative Matthew Shepherd opened discussion on the publishing contract and Jill Thayer, chief legal counsel for the Bureau of Legislative Research, told commissioners the existing contract terminates Dec. 31, 2025, and provides for two renewal terms of up to seven years each. Kevin Koon, the Arkansas Code Revisor, said the Bureau would forward the commission’s approval to the Legislative Council for final approval.

“Lexis is looking forward to working with the State of Arkansas,” Brian Kennedy, head of government relations and content acquisition for LexisNexis, told the commission. Kennedy proposed replacing Title 19 with hardbound replacement volumes during the supplement season and said Lexis would honor the already-set 2025 pricing for those replacement volumes.

Commissioners discussed how many volumes would be required and how they would be substituted for other scheduled 2025 replacement volumes. Kennedy confirmed two volumes would be involved — labeled 19A and 19B — and that pricing would be handled as replacement volumes.

Mr. Vaughan Hankins moved to approve exercising the first extension option on the contract; Senator Clarke Tucker seconded and the motion was adopted. Senator Joshua Bryant then moved to approve two replacement volumes for Title 19, subject to staff and LexisNexis determining which scheduled 2025 replacement volumes would be substituted and with pricing to remain the same; Commissioner Julie Mullenix seconded and the motion was adopted.

Next steps: staff and LexisNexis will determine which scheduled 2025 replacement volumes are substituted by Title 19A and 19B, and the Bureau will present the commission’s approval to the Legislative Council for final sign‑off.