Bill
Bill > HB1042
AR HB1042
To Create The Direct Democracy Act Of 2025; To Repeal The Ensuring Access For All Arkansans And Voter Protection Act Of 2023; And To Amend The Procedure For The Filing Of A Ballot Initiative Petition And Referendum Petition.
summary
Introduced
11/20/2024
11/20/2024
In Committee
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/05/2025
05/05/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)
Bill Summary
AN ACT TO CREATE THE DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2025; TO REPEAL THE ENSURING ACCESS FOR ALL ARKANSANS AND VOTER PROTECTION ACT OF 2023; TO AMEND THE PROCEDURE FOR THE FILING OF A BALLOT INITIATIVE PETITION AND REFERENDUM PETITION; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATEWIDE PETITIONS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Direct Democracy Act of 2025, primarily focuses on repealing specific provisions related to signature verification for initiative and referendum petitions in Arkansas. Specifically, the bill eliminates existing requirements that mandate petition signatures must be collected from at least 50 counties and include at least one-half of the designated percentage of electors from each of those counties. By removing these sections of Arkansas Code § 7-9-126(e) and (f), the bill effectively simplifies the process for certifying ballot initiatives and referendums. The legislation removes language that previously required election officials to declare a petition insufficient if it did not meet the county-wide signature distribution requirements and prevented additional signatures from being added after the filing deadline. This change could potentially make it easier for citizens to get initiatives and referendums on the statewide ballot by reducing the geographical signature distribution requirements.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Andrew Collins (D)*,
Lincoln Barnett (D),
Denise Garner (D),
Diana Gonzales Worthen (D),
Tara Shephard (D),
Joy Springer (D),
Last Action
Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. (on 05/05/2025)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1042&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R |
| House Amendment H2 | https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAMEND%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FHB1042-H2.pdf |
| House Amendment H1 | https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAMEND%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FHB1042-H1.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FHB1042.pdf |
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