February2021 Lawmakers File 43 Proposals for 2022 Ballot Arkansas lawmakers filed 43 proposed constitutional amendments for the 2022 ballot, just one more than legislators submitted in the 2019 session. Find the full list of the proposals and topics at our blog. The proposals cover a variety of topics including: partisan elections, a higher threshold for voter approval of ballot issues, renters rights, limits to lawsuit damages, eliminating personal property taxes, and more authority for lawmakers to call extraordinary sessions. Several bills are shell bills, which are proposals that refer to a topic but do not specify what law would be added, removed or changed. Members of the House and Senate committees on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs will narrow down the proposals in coming weeks. The Arkansas Constitution allows legislators to refer up to three proposals to the public on the statewide ballot. Historically, one proposal comes from the House, one from the Senate and then a joint proposal. Arkansas is one of 15 states where legislators and citizens can propose changes to the state constitution. Since 2011, legislators have referred 13 constitutional amendments to voters. Citizen groups have had six proposed amendments and laws on the ballot for voters to decide. Arkansas' 1874 Constitution currently has 102 amendments, the latest which were approved by voters in November 2020 changing the state's term limit laws and approving a permanent 0.5% sales tax for roadwork and maintenance across the state. 2022 Citizen Initiative Process Arkansas is one of15 stateswhere citizens have the right to put constitutional amendments, state laws and referendums on the ballot for voters to decide. The citizen initiative process involves filing a ballot title with the Secretary of State's Office, collecting voter signatures across the state and submitting the petitions for verification. The Board of Election Commissioners also must approve the ballot title. Referendums require voter signatures equaling 6% of the number of people who voted in the last governor's election. State laws require 8%, and constitutional amendments require 10%. Submitted to the Secretary of State Act 376 of 2019 requires ballot issue groups to submit a copy of their ballot title to the Secretary of State's Office before collecting voter signatures. Ballot titles that have been filed for the 2022 ballot include: Feb. 4, 2021 -The Arkansas Township Amendment of 2022-A proposal that would create another layer of local government -township assemblies -among other things was submitted by Academy of Democracy. Jan. 5, 2021 -An Amendment Concerning Jurors' Rights -A proposal that would impact the legislature's ability to pass laws regarding jury awards in lawsuits over injury or death was submitted. The person who submitted the proposal did not provide their contact information to the Secretary of State's Office. May 22, 2020 -The Arkansas Recreational Marijuana Amendment of 2022-A proposal to legalize adult marijuana use and to allow certain marijuana convictions to be expunged was submitted by Arkansas True Grass. NewWebsiteandEmail The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be undergoing a domain change this month. The Public Policy Center's website and email will change as a result of this move. Our new website address will bewww.uaex.uada.edu/ppc Ballot issue education will be found atwww.uaex.uada.edu/ballot Our email will change to publicpolicycenter@uada.edu later this month. #ARballot STAY CONNECTED The Public Policy Center was established in 2004 to provide Arkansans with timely, credible, unaligned and research based information and education about public issues. Public issues are defined as pressing and emerging issues that involve multiple points of view and have widespread consequences. Our goals are to: Increase citizen knowledge, awareness and understanding of public issues; Enhance public participation in decisions regarding public issues, and Help citizens craft, evaluate and implement alternative solutions to public issues. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service www.uaex.uada.edu News & Notes Volume 8, Issue 2. This e mail newsletter is shared with Cooperative Extension Service agents, subscribers from the general public and election officials or educators identified by the Public Policy Center. To unsubscribe, click below on "instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe." The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service 2301 S. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204 501 671 2160 | Publicpolicycenter@uaex.edu | uaex.uada.edu/ballot Didsomeoneforwardthisnewslettertoyou?Clicktojoinourmailing list