Arkansas House of Representatives

The Arkansas State House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the US state of Arkansas. The House has 100 members elected from an equal number of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 30,137, according to the 2020 federal census. Members are elected to two-year terms and, since the 2014 Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, limited to sixteen years cumulative in either house.[1]

Arkansas House of Representatives
94th Arkansas General Assembly
House of Representatives seal
Type
Type
Term limits
16 Years (both houses)
History
FoundedJanuary 30, 1836 (1836-01-30)
New session started
January 9, 2023
Leadership
Matthew Shepherd (R)
since June 15, 2018
Speaker pro tempore
Jon Eubanks (R)
since January 12, 2015
Majority Leader
Marcus Richmond (R)
since January 9, 2023
Minority Leader
Tippi McCullough (D)
since January 11, 2021
Structure
Seats100
Political groups
Majority
  •   Republican (82)

Minority

Length of term
2 years
AuthorityArticle 8, Section 2,
Arkansas Constitution
Salary$39,399.84/year + per diem
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
November 8, 2022
(100 seats)
Next election
November 5, 2024
(100 seats)
RedistrictingArkansas Board of Apportionment
Meeting place
House of Representatives Chamber
Arkansas State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
Website
Arkansas House of Representatives

The Arkansas House of Representatives meets annually, in regular session in odd number years and for a fiscal session in even number years, at the State Capitol in Little Rock.[2]

History

edit
 
Arkansas House members in 1893, the four known African American members are segregated to the bottom right

During the Reconstruction era that followed the American Civil War, the Federal government passed the Reconstruction Acts and African Americans were enfranchised with voting rights. African Americans were elected and served in the Arkansas House although the numbers eventually declined as the Democrats retook control and were able to restore white supremacy. By the start of the 20th century African Americans were largely barred from holding in the Arkansas House and across the southern states.

John Wilson, the first Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, stabbed Representative J. J. Anthony to death during a legislative debate on the floor of the chamber in 1837. Wilson was later acquitted. The Old State House is said to be haunted to this day.[3][4]

In 1922, Frances Hunt became the first woman elected to a seat in the Arkansas General Assembly when she was elected to a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives.[5]

Leadership of the House

edit

The Speaker of the House presides over the body and is elected by the membership every two years. Its duties include the supervision and directing the daily order of business, recognizing members to speak, preserving order in the House, deciding all questions of order and germaneness, certifying all measures passed, assigning committee leadership, and naming members to select committees. In the Speaker's absence, the Speaker Pro Tempore presides.

Officers

edit
Office Officer Party District
Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Matthew Shepherd Republican 97
Speaker Pro Tempore Jon S. Eubanks Republican 74
Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 1st District Jack Ladyman Republican 32
Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 2nd District Fred Allen Democratic 77
Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 3rd District Charlene Fite Republican 24
Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 4th District DeAnn Vaught Republican 87

Floor Leaders

edit
Office Officer Party District
Majority Leader Marcus E. Richmond Republican 52
Majority Whip Jon Milligan Republican 33
Minority Leader Tippi McCullough Democratic 74
Minority Whip Vivian Flowers Democratic 65

Current composition

edit
 
82 18
Republican Democratic
Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Republican Democratic Ind Green Vacant
End of the 90th General Assembly 68 31 1 0 100 0
Beginning of the 91st General Assembly 76 24 0 0 100 0
End of the 91st General Assembly 76 24 0 0 100 0
Current 82 18 0 0 100 0
Latest voting share 82% 18%

Current membership

edit
District Name Party Residence First elected Term-limited
1 Jeremy Wooldridge Rep Marmaduke 2022 2034
2 Trey Steimel Rep Pocahontas 2022 2034
3 Stetson Painter Rep Mountain Home 2022 2034
4 Jack Fortner Rep Yellville 2016 2032
5 Ron McNair Rep Harrison 2014 2030
6 Harlan Breaux Rep Holiday Island 2018 2034
7 Brit McKenzie Rep Rogers 2022 2034
8 Austin McCollum Rep Bentonville 2016 2032
9 DeAnna Hodges Rep Springdale 2022 2034
10 Mindy McAlindon Rep Centerton 2022 2034
11 Rebecca Burkes Rep Lowell 2022 2034
12 Hope Hendren Duke Rep Gravette 2022 2034
13 Scott Richardson Rep Bentonville 2022 2034
14 Grant Hodges Rep Centerton 2014 2030
15 John P. Carr Rep Rogers 2020 2036
16 Kendon Underwood Rep Cave Springs 2020 2036
17 Delia Haak Rep Siloam Springs 2014 2030
18 Robin Lundstrum Rep Elm Springs 2014 2030
19 Steve Unger Rep Springdale 2022 2034
20 Denise Garner Dem Fayetteville 2018 2034
21 Nicole Clowney Dem Fayetteville 2018 2034
22 David Whitaker Dem Fayetteville 2012 2028
23 Kendra Moore Rep Lincoln 2022 2034
24 Charlene Fite Rep Van Buren 2012 2028
25 Chad Puryear Rep Hindsville 2022 2034
26 Mark H. Berry Rep Ozark 2020 2036
27 Steven Walker Rep Horseshoe Bend 2022 2034
28 Bart Schulz Rep Cave City 2022 2034
29 Rick McClure Rep Malvern 2020 2036
30 Frances Cavenaugh Rep Walnut Ridge 2016 2032
31 Jimmy Gazaway Rep Paragould 2016 2032
32 Jack Ladyman Rep Jonesboro 2014 2030
33 Jon Milligan Rep Lake City 2020 2036
34 Joey L. Carr Rep Blytheville 2022 2034
35 Milton Nicks Jr. Dem Marion 2014 2030
36 Johnny Rye Rep Trumann 2016 2032
37 Steve Hollowell Rep Forrest City 2016 2032
38 Dwight Tosh Rep Jonesboro 2014 2032
39 Wayne Long Rep Bradford 2022 2034
40 Shad Pearce Rep Batesville 2022 2034
41 Josh Miller Rep Heber Springs 2012 2028
42 Stephen Meeks Rep Greenbrier 2010 2026
43 Rick Beck Rep Center Ridge 2014 2030
44 Stan Berry Rep Dover 2018 2034
45 Aaron Pilkington Rep Knoxville 2016 2032
46 Jon S. Eubanks Rep Subiaco 2010 2026
47 Lee Johnson Rep Greenwood 2018 2034
48 Ryan Rose Rep Van Buren 2022 2034
49 Jay Richardson Dem Fort Smith 2018 2034
50 Zachary Gramlich Rep Fort Smith 2022 2034
51 Cindy Crawford Rep Fort Smith 2018 2034
52 Marcus Richmond Rep Harvey 2014 2030
53 Matt Duffield Rep Russellville 2022 2034
54 Mary Bentley Rep Perryville 2014 2030
55 Matthew Brown Rep Conway 2022 2034
56 Steve Magie Dem Conway 2012 2028
57 Cameron Cooper Rep Romance 2022 2034
58 Les Eaves Rep Searcy 2014 2030
59 Jim Wooten Rep Beebe 2018 (special) 2034
60 Roger Lynch Rep Lonoke 2016 2032
61 Jeremiah Moore Rep Clarendon 2022 2034
62 Mark McElroy Rep Tillar 2012 2030
63 Deborah Ferguson Dem West Memphis 2012 2028
64 Ken Ferguson Dem Pine Bluff 2014 2030
65 Vivian Flowers Dem Pine Bluff 2014 2030
66 Mark Perry Dem Jacksonville 2008 2030
67 Karilyn Brown Rep Sherwood 2014 2030
68 Brian S. Evans Rep Cabot 2018 2034
69 David Ray Rep Maumelle 2020 2036
70 Carlton Wing Rep North Little Rock 2016 2032
71 Brandon Achor Rep Maumelle 2022 2034
72 Jamie Aleshia Scott Dem North Little Rock 2018 2034
73 Andrew Collins Dem Little Rock 2018 2034
74 Tippi McCullough Dem Little Rock 2018 2034
75 Ashley Hudson Dem Little Rock 2020 2036
76 Joy C. Springer Dem Little Rock 2020 (special) 2036
77 Fred Allen Dem Little Rock 2008 2026
78 Keith Brooks Rep Little Rock 2020 2036
79 Tara Shephard Dem Little Rock 2022 2034
80 Denise Ennett Dem Little Rock 2019 (special) 2036
81 R. J. Hawk Rep Bryant 2022 2034
82 Tony Furman Rep Benton 2020 2036
83 Lanny Fite Rep Benton 2014 2030
84 Les Warren Rep Hot Springs 2016 2032
85 Richard McGrew Rep Hot Springs 2019 (special) 2036
86 John Maddox Rep Mena 2016 2032
87 DeAnn Vaught Rep Horatio 2014 2030
88 Danny Watson Rep Hope 2016 2032
89 Justin Gonzales Rep Okolona 2014 2030
90 Richard Womack Rep Arkadelphia 2012 2028
91 Bruce Cozart Rep Hot Springs 2011 (special) 2028
92 Julie Mayberry Rep Hensley 2014 2032
93 Mike Holcomb Rep Pine Bluff 2012 2028
94 Jeff Wardlaw Rep Hermitage 2010 2026
95 Howard Beaty Rep Crossett 2020 2036
96 Sonia Eubanks Barker Rep Smackover 2016 2032
97 Matthew Shepherd Rep El Dorado 2010 2026
98 Wade Andrews Rep Camden 2022 2034
99 Lane Jean Rep Magnolia 2010 2026
100 Carol Dalby Rep Texarkana 2016 2032

Past composition of the House of Representatives

edit

Committees

edit

The House has 10 Standing Committees:

CLASS A

  • Education
  • Judiciary
  • Public Health, Welfare & Labor
  • Public Transportation
  • Revenue and Taxation

CLASS B

  • Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs
  • Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development
  • City, County and Local Affairs
  • Insurance and Commerce
  • State Agencies and Governmental Affairs

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEES

  • Rules
  • House Management

JOINT COMMITTEES

  • Budget
  • Energy
  • Performance Review
  • Public Retirement and Social Security Programs
  • Advanced Communication and Information Technology

CURRENT COMMITTEES INCLUDE:[6]

  • Advanced Communications And Information Technology
  • Aging, Children And Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs
    • Veterans' Home Task Force
    • House Leg., Military & Veterans Affairs
    • House Children & Youth Subcom.
    • House Aging Subcommittee
  • Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development
    • House Parks & Tourism Subcommittee
    • House Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources Subcom.
  • City, County & Local Affairs Committee
    • House Planning Subcommittee
    • House Local Government Personnel Subcommittee
    • House Finance Subcommittee
  • Education Committee
    • House K-12, Vocational-Technical Institutions Subcommittee
    • House Higher Education Subcommittee
    • House Early Childhood Subcommittee
  • House Management
  • House Rules
  • Insurance & Commerce
    • House Utilities Subcommittee
    • House Insurance Subcommittee
    • House Financial Institutions Subcommittee
  • Joint Performance Review
  • Judiciary Committee
    • House Juvenile Justice & Child Support Subcommittee
    • House Courts & Civil Law Subcommittee
    • House Corrections & Criminal Law Subcommittee
  • Public Health, Welfare And Labor Committee
    • House Labor & Environment Subcommittee
    • House Human Services Subcommittee
    • House Health Services Subcommittee
  • Public Transportation
    • House Waterways & Aeronautics Subcom.
    • House And Rail Subcommittee
    • House Motor Vehicle & Highways Subcom.
  • Revenue & Taxation
    • House Sales, Use, Misc. Taxes & Exemptions Subcom.
    • House Income Taxes-Personal & Corporate Subcom.
    • House Complaints And Remediation Subcom.
  • State Agencies & Govt'L Affairs
    • House State Agencies & Reorgan. Subcom
    • House Elections Subcommittee
    • House Constitutional Issues Subcommittee

Each Representative serves on two Standing Committees, and each committee has 20 members. Standing Committee chairmen and vice-chairmen are selected from respective committee rosters by the Speaker.

Two Select Committees operate exclusively within the House. Members of the committees are appointed by the Speaker. The House Select Committees are the House Committee on Rules and the House Management Committee.

The Committee on Rules considers all proposed action touching the House rules, the joint rules and the order of business. The Committee also considers all legislation dealing with alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco products, coin-operated amusement devices, vending machines, lobbying, code of ethics, pari-mutuel betting and similar legislation.

The House Management Committee works with the Speaker of the House to direct and oversee operations of the House of Representatives. Its duties include the hiring and supervision of the House Staff, the development of personnel policies and procedures, and the monitoring of facility usage and maintenance.

Representatives also serve on five committees that operate jointly with the Senate. They are Joint Budget, Joint Retirement and Social Security Programs, Joint Energy, Joint Performance Review and Joint Committee on Advanced, Communications and Information Technology

House members of the Joint Budget Committee are chosen by their peers from respective caucus districts. House members on other Joint Committees are appointed to their positions by the Speaker.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Home - Arkansas House of Representatives". www.arkansashouse.org. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  2. ^ "Arkansas House of Representatives". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  3. ^ [1] Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Wilson-Anthony Duel - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  5. ^ "Women". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Arkansas: The Central Arkansas Library System. 2010. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  6. ^ "Arkansas House Committees". Open States. Sunlight Foundation. April 9, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
edit

34°44′49″N 92°17′21″W / 34.74694°N 92.28917°W / 34.74694; -92.28917