93rd Arkansas General Assembly
 | This article needs to be updated. (February 2023) |
| 93rd Arkansas General Assembly | |||||||||||
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 Arkansas State Capitol (2009) | |||||||||||
| Overview | |||||||||||
| Meeting place | Arkansas State Capitol | ||||||||||
| Term | January 11, 2021 – January 8, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Arkansas Senate | |||||||||||
 Senate party standings | |||||||||||
| Members | 35 (28 R, 7 D) | ||||||||||
| President of the Senate | Tim Griffin (R) | ||||||||||
| President Pro Tempore of the Senate | Jimmy Hickey, Jr. (R) | ||||||||||
| Majority Leader | Bart Hester (R) | ||||||||||
| Minority Leader | Keith Ingram (D) | ||||||||||
| Party control | Republican Party | ||||||||||
| House of Representatives | |||||||||||
 House party standings | |||||||||||
| Members | 100 (78 R, 22 D) | ||||||||||
| House Speaker | Matthew Shepherd (R) | ||||||||||
| Speaker pro Tempore | John Eubanks (R) | ||||||||||
| Majority Leader | Austin McCollum (R) | ||||||||||
| Minority Leader | Tippi McCullough (D) | ||||||||||
| Party control | Republican Party | ||||||||||
| Sessions | |||||||||||
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The Ninety-Third Arkansas General Assembly is the legislative body of the state of Arkansas in 2021 and 2022. The Arkansas Senate and Arkansas House of Representatives were both controlled by the Republicans. In the Senate, 28 senators were Republicans and 7 were Democrats. In the House, 78 representatives were Republicans and 22 were Democrats.
Sessions
[edit]- The Regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly opened on January 11, 2021.[1] It recessed due to two extreme winter storms (February 15 and February 17 in Arkansas) for the week of February 15.[2] It adjourned sine die on April 24, 2019.
- The Fiscal Session began February 14, 2022 and concluded March 15.
- Governor Asa Hutchinson called for a special session to begin August 9, 2022 to lower the top income tax rate to 4.9% following a large state surplus.[3] Bipartisan calls to use part of the surplus to raise teacher were ultimately ignored.[4]
Major events
[edit]Corruption and scandals
[edit]- Senators Mark Johnson (R-15th) and Alan Clark (R-13th) were punished for violating Senate Ethics rules on July 21, 2022. Johnson signed a sign-in sheet for Clark during a meeting he did not attend, and subsequently requesting reimbursement.[5]
- Senator Alan Clark (R-13th) was suspended in a vote of the Senate for making "spurious, frivolous and retaliatory charges of ethics violations" against Senator Stephanie Flowers (D-25th).[5]
Vacancies and party changes
[edit]- Senator Jim Hendren (R-2nd) left the Republican Party of Arkansas and became an independent politician on February 18 citing the party's reaction to the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol and President Donald Trump's behavior.[6] The announcement drew national attention.[7]
- Senator Lance Eads (R-7th) resigned on October 28, 2021.[8] Colby Fulfer (R) won a special election on February 8, 2022, and was sworn in on February 22, 2022.
Major legislation
[edit]The legislature was prolific during the regular session, considering 684 Senate bills and 986 House bills. A total of 1,100 bills become law.[9]
- Some culture war issues were considered in this session, including transgender people in sports.[9]
Senate
[edit]Leadership
[edit]Officers
[edit]| Office | Officer[1] | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| President/Lieutenant Governor | Tim Griffin | Republican | |
| President Pro Tempore of the Senate | Jimmy Hickey, Jr | Republican | 11 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 1st District | Ron Caldwell | Republican | 23 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 2nd District | Linda Chesterfield | Democrat | 30 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 3rd District | Lance Eads | Republican | 7 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 4th District | Bill Sample | Republican | 14 |
Floor Leaders
[edit]| Office | Officer[1] | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majority Leader | Scott Flippo | Republican | 17 |
| Majority Whip | Mathew Pitsch | Republican | 8 |
| Minority Leader | Keith Ingram | Democratic | 24 |
| Minority Whip | Larry Teague | Democratic | 10 |
Senators
[edit]| District | Name | Party | Residence | First elected | Seat up | Term-limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bart Hester | Rep | Cave Springs | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 2 | Jim Hendren | Rep[Note 1] | Gravette | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 3 | Cecile Bledsoe | Rep | Rogers | 2008 | 2022 | 2024 |
| 4 | Greg Leding | Dem | Fayetteville | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 5 | Bob Ballinger | Rep | Berryville | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 6 | Gary Stubblefield | Rep | Branch | 2012 | 2022 | 2028 |
| 7 | Lance Eads | Rep | Springdale | 2016 | 2024 | 2032 |
| 8 | Mathew Pitsch | Rep | Fort Smith | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 9 | Terry Rice | Rep | Waldron | 2014 | 2022 | 2030 |
| 10 | Larry Teague | Dem | Nashville | 2008 | 2022 | 2024 |
| 11 | Jimmy Hickey Jr. | Rep | Texarkana | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 12 | Charles Beckham | Rep | McNeil | 2020 | 2024 | 2036 |
| 13 | Alan Clark | Rep | Lonsdale | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 14 | Bill Sample | Rep | Hot Springs | 2010 | 2022 | 2026 |
| 15 | Mark Johnson | Rep | Little Rock | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 16 | Breanne Davis | Rep | Russellville | 2018 (special) | 2024 | 2034 |
| 17 | Scott Flippo | Rep | Mountain Home | 2014 | 2022 | 2030 |
| 18 | Missy Irvin | Rep | Mountain View | 2010 | 2022 | 2026 |
| 19 | James Sturch | Rep | Batesville | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 20 | Blake Johnson | Rep | Corning | 2014 | 2022 | 2030 |
| 21 | Dan Sullivan | Rep | Jonesboro | 2014 | 2024 | 2030 |
| 22 | Dave Wallace | Rep | Leachville | 2016 | 2024 | 2032 |
| 23 | Ron Caldwell | Rep | Wynne | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 24 | Keith Ingram | Dem | West Memphis | 2012 | 2022 | 2028 |
| 25 | Stephanie Flowers | Dem | Pine Bluff | 2010 | 2024 | 2026 |
| 26 | Ben Gilmore | Rep | Crossett | 2020 | 2024 | 2036 |
| 27 | Trent Garner | Rep | El Dorado | 2016 | 2024 | 2032 |
| 28 | Jonathan Dismang | Rep | Beebe | 2010 | 2024 | 2026 |
| 29 | Ricky Hill | Rep | Cabot | 2018 (special) | 2024 | 2034 |
| 30 | Linda Chesterfield | Dem | Little Rock | 2010 | 2022 | 2026 |
| 31 | Joyce Elliott | Dem | Little Rock | 2008 | 2022 | 2024 |
| 32 | Clarke Tucker | Dem | Little Rock | 2014 | 2024 | 2032 |
| 33 | Kim Hammer | Rep | Benton | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 34 | Jane English | Rep | North Little Rock | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 35 | Jason Rapert | Rep | Conway | 2010 | 2022 | 2026 |
House of Representatives
[edit]Leadership
[edit]Officers
[edit]| Office | Officer[1] | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives | Matthew Shepherd | Republican | 6 |
| Speaker Pro Tempore | Jon Eubanks | Republican | 74 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 1st District | Michelle Gray | Republican | 62 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 2nd District | Marcus Richmond | Republican | 21 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 3rd District | Fred Allen | Democratic | 30 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 4th District | Frances Cavanaugh | Republican | 60 |
Floor Leaders
[edit]| Office | Officer[1] | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majority Leader | Austin McCollum | Republican | 95 |
| Majority Whip | John Payton | Republican | 64 |
| Minority Leader | Tippi McCullough | Democratic | 33 |
| Minority Whip | Denise Garner | Democratic | 84 |
Representatives
[edit]| District | Name | Party | First elected | Term-limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carol Dalby | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 2 | Lane Jean | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 3 | Danny Watson | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 4 | DeAnn Vaught | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 5 | David Fielding | Dem | 2010 | 2026 |
| 6 | Matthew Shepherd | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 7 | Sonia Eubanks Barker | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 8 | Jeff Wardlaw | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 9 | Howard Beaty | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 10 | Mike Holcomb | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 11 | Mark McElroy | Rep | 2012 | 2030 |
| 12 | David Tollett | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 13 | David Hillman | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 14 | Roger Lynch | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 15 | Ken Bragg | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 16 | Ken Ferguson | Dem | 2014 | 2030 |
| 17 | Vivian Flowers | Dem | 2014 | 2030 |
| 18 | Richard Womack | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 19 | Justin Gonzales | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 20 | John Maddox | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 21 | Marcus Richmond | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 22 | Richard McGrew | Rep | 2020 (special) | 2036 |
| 23 | Lanny Fite | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 24 | Bruce Cozart | Rep | 2011† | 2028 |
| 25 | Les Warren | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 26 | Rick McClure | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 27 | Julie Mayberry | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 28 | Tony Furman | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 29 | Fredrick Love | Dem | 2010 | 2026 |
| 30 | Fred Allen | Dem | 2016 | 2032 |
| 31 | Keith Brooks | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 32 | Ashley Hudson | Dem | 2020 | 2036 |
| 33 | Tippi McCullough | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 34 | Joy Springer | Dem | 2020 (special) | 2036 |
| 35 | Andrew Collins | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 36 | Denise Ennett | Dem | 2019 (special) | 2034 |
| 37 | Jamie Aleshia Scott | Dem | 2018 | 2028 |
| 38 | Carlton Wing | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 39 | Mark Lowery | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 40 | David Ray | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 41 | Karilyn Brown | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 42 | Mark Perry | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 43 | Brian S. Evans | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 44 | Cameron Cooper | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 45 | Jim Wooten | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 46 | Les Eaves | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 47 | Craig Christiansen | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 48 | Reginald Murdock | Dem | 2010 | 2026 |
| 49 | Steve Hollowell | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 50 | Milton Nicks | Dem | 2014 | 2030 |
| 51 | Deborah Ferguson | Dem | 2012 | 2028 |
| 52 | Dwight Tosh | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 53 | Jon Milligan | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 54 | Johnny Rye | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 55 | Monte Hodges | Dem | 2012 | 2028 |
| 56 | Joe Jett | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 57 | Jimmy Gazaway | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 58 | Brandt Smith | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 59 | Jack Ladyman | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 60 | Frances Cavenaugh | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 61 | Marsh Davis | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 62 | Michelle Gray | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 63 | Stu Smith | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 64 | John Payton | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 65 | Rick Beck | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 66 | Josh Miller | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 67 | Stephen Meeks | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 68 | Stan Berry | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 69 | Aaron Pilkington | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 70 | Spencer Hawks | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 71 | Joe Cloud | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 72 | Stephen Magie | Dem | 2012 | 2028 |
| 73 | Mary Bentley | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 74 | Jon Eubanks | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 75 | Lee Johnson | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 76 | Cindy Crawford | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 77 | Justin Boyd | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 78 | Jay Richardson | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 79 | Gary Deffenbaugh | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 80 | Charlene Fite | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 81 | Bruce Coleman | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 82 | Mark H. Berry | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 83 | Keith Slape | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 84 | Denise Garner | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 85 | David Whitaker | Dem | 2012 | 2028 |
| 86 | Nicole Clowney | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 87 | Robin Lundstrum | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 88 | Clint Penzo | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 89 | Megan Godfrey | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 90 | Kendon Underwood | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 91 | Delia Haak | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 92 | Gayla Hendren McKenzie | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 93 | Jim Dotson | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 94 | John P. Carr | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 95 | Austin McCollum | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 96 | Joshua P. Bryant | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 97 | Harlan Breaux | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 98 | Ron McNair | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 99 | Jack Fortner | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 100 | Nelda Speaks | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Herzog, Rachel; Moritz, John; Wickline, Michael R. (January 12, 2021). "Arkansas lawmakers gather, take first actions of session". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, Arkansas: WEHCO Media. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Counts, Chris (February 16, 2021) [February 15, 2021]. "Arkansas General Assembly calls recess until Monday, February 22 because of winter storm". Little Rock: Nexstar Media Group via KARK. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Epperson, Andrew (August 10, 2022). "Arkansas House, Senate pass income tax cut legislation in special session". Little Rock: KARK-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
- ^ Boyd, Samantha (December 6, 2022). "Lawmakers to take action on teacher pay in upcoming session". Little Rock: KNWA-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
- ^ a b Wickline, Michael R. (September 28, 2022). "Arkansas Senate suspends Clark, strips him of seniority for filing frivolous ethics complaint". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock: WEHCO Media. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Roberts, Adam (February 18, 2021). "Arkansas State Sen. Jim Hendren leaves Republican Party". 40/29. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Brantley, Max (February 23, 2021). "More national exposure for Jim Hendren's departure from the Republican Party". Arkansas Times. Little Rock. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Doug (October 29, 2021). "State Sen. Lance Eads of Springdale resigns, accepts lobbying job". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock: WEHCO Media. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
- ^ a b Cushman, Paige (May 26, 2021). "Arkansas lawmakers reflect on controversial 2021 legislative session". Little Rock: ABC7. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
