| 94th Arkansas General Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
 Arkansas State Capitol (2009) | |||||
| Overview | |||||
| Meeting place | Arkansas State Capitol | ||||
| Term | January 9, 2023 – May 1, 2023 | ||||
| Website | www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ | ||||
| Arkansas Senate | |||||
 Senate party standings | |||||
| Members | 35 (29 R, 6 D) | ||||
| President of the Senate | Leslie Rutledge (R) | ||||
| President Pro Tempore of the Senate | Bart Hester (R) | ||||
| Majority Leader | Blake Johnson (R) | ||||
| Minority Leader | Greg Leding (D) | ||||
| Party control | Republican Party | ||||
| House of Representatives | |||||
| Members | 100 (82 R, 18 D) | ||||
| House Speaker | Matthew Shepherd (R) | ||||
| Speaker pro Tempore | Jon Eubanks (R) | ||||
| Majority Leader | Marcus E. Richmond (R) | ||||
| Minority Leader | Tippi McCullough ( D) | ||||
| Party control | Republican Party | ||||
| Sessions | |||||
| |||||
The Ninety-Forth Arkansas General Assembly is the legislative body of the state of Arkansas in 2023 and 2024. The Arkansas Senate and Arkansas House of Representatives were both controlled by the Republicans. In the Senate, 29 senators were Republicans and 6 were Democrats. In the House, 82 representatives were Republicans and 18 were Democrats.
Sessions
- The Regular Session of the 94th General Assembly opened on January 9, 2023. [1] It adjourned sine die on May 1, 2023. [2]
- A special session was called by Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders to begin September 11, 2023 to consider tax cuts and changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) law. [3] It ended after four days. [4]
Major events
The special session ended with an amendment to the FOIA law exempting information regarding travel on the state airplane, operated by the Arkansas State Police for use by the Governor of Arkansas and other constitutional officers. Several other provisions proposed by the governor to be exempted from FOIA, including deliberations among state officials, policy recommendations, and other information, were withdrawn after receiving broad bipartisan opposition. [5] [6]
Major legislation
The legislature passed 889 new laws during the regular session. The signature legislation included Governor Sanders' campaign priorities of education reform (Arkansas Learns Act), tax cuts, and culture war issues like transgender rights to book access at libraries. [2]
Senate
Leadership
Officers
| Office | Officer | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| President/ Lieutenant Governor | Leslie Rutledge | Republican | N/A |
| President Pro Tempore of the Senate | Bart Hester | Republican | 33 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 1st District | Dan Sullivan | Republican | 20 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 2nd District | Clarke Tucker | Democrat | 14 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 3rd District | Jim Dotson | Republican | 34 |
| Assistant Pro Tempore, 4th District | Breanne Davis | Republican | 25 |
Floor Leaders
| Office | Officer [7] | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majority Leader | Blake Johnson | Republican | 21 |
| Majority Whip | Ricky Hill | Republican | 11 |
| Minority Leader | Greg Leding | Democratic | 30 |
| Minority Whip | Linda Chesterfield | Democratic | 12 |
Senators
| District | Name | Party | Residence | First elected | Seat up | Term-limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Gilmore | Rep | Crossett | 2020 | 2024 | 2036 |
| 2 | Matt Stone | Rep | Camden | 2022 | 2026 | 2038 |
| 3 | Steve Crowell | Rep | Magnolia | 2022 | 2026 | 2038 |
| 4 | Jimmy Hickey Jr. | Rep | Texarkana | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 5 | Terry Rice | Rep | Waldron | 2014 | 2022 | 2030 |
| 6 | Matt McKee | Rep | Pearcy | 2022 | 2026 | 2038 |
| 7 | Alan Clark | Rep | Lonsdale | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 8 | Stephanie Flowers | Dem | Pine Bluff | 2010 | 2024 | 2026 |
| 9 | Reginald Murdock | Dem | Marianna | 2010 | 2026 | 2026 |
| 10 | Ron Caldwell | Rep | Wynne | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 11 | Ricky Hill | Rep | Cabot | 2018 ( special) | 2024 | 2034 |
| 12 | Linda Chesterfield | Dem | Little Rock | 2010 | 2022 | 2026 |
| 13 | Jane English | Rep | North Little Rock | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 14 | Clarke Tucker | Dem | Little Rock | 2014 | 2024 | 2032 |
| 15 | Fredrick Love | Dem | Mabelvale | 2010 | 2026 | 2026 |
| 16 | Kim Hammer | Rep | Benton | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 17 | Mark Johnson | Rep | Little Rock | 2018 | 2022 | 2034 |
| 18 | Jonathan Dismang | Rep | Beebe | 2010 | 2024 | 2026 |
| 19 | Dave Wallace | Rep | Leachville | 2016 | 2024 | 2032 |
| 20 | Dan Sullivan | Rep | Jonesboro | 2014 | 2024 | 2030 |
| 21 | Blake Johnson | Rep | Corning | 2014 | 2022 | 2030 |
| 22 | John Payton | Rep | Wilburn | 2012 | 2026 | 2028 |
| 23 | Scott Flippo | Rep | Mountain Home | 2014 | 2022 | 2030 |
| 24 | Missy Irvin | Rep | Mountain View | 2010 | 2022 | 2026 |
| 25 | Breanne Davis | Rep | Russellville | 2018 ( special) | 2024 | 2034 |
| 26 | Gary Stubblefield | Rep | Branch | 2012 | 2022 | 2028 |
| 27 | Justin Boyd | Rep | Fort Smith | 2014 | 2026 | 2030 |
| 28 | Bryan King | Rep | Green Forest | 2013 | 2026 | 2034 |
| 29 | Jim Petty | Rep | Van Buren | 2022 | 2026 | 2038 |
| 30 | Greg Leding | Dem | Fayetteville | 2018 | 2026 | 2034 |
| 31 | Clint Penzo | Rep | Springdale | 2016 | 2024 | 2032 |
| 12 | Joshua P. Bryant | Rep | Rogers | 2020 | 2024 | 2036 |
| 33 | Bart Hester | Rep | Cave Springs | 2012 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 34 | Jim Dotson | Rep | Bentonville | 2012 | 2026 | 2028 |
| 35 | Tyler Dees | Rep | Siloam Springs | 2022 | 2026 | 2038 |
House of Representatives
Leadership
Officers
| Office | Officer [7] | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives | Matthew Shepherd | Republican | 97 |
| Speaker Pro Tempore | Jon Eubanks | Republican | 46 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 1st District | Charlene Fite | Republican | 24 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 2nd District | Jack Ladyman | Republican | 32 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 3rd District | DeAnn Vaught | Republican | 87 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 4th District | Fred Allen | Democratic | 77 |
Floor Leaders
| Office | Officer [7] | 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 |
Representatives
| District | Name | Party | First elected | Term-limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Wooldridge | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 2 | Trey Steimel | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 3 | Stetson Painter | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 4 | Jack Fortner | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 5 | Ron McNair | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 6 | Harlan Breaux | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 7 | Britt McKenzie | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 8 | Austin McCollum | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 9 | DeAnna Hodges | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 10 | Mindy McAlindon | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 11 | Rebecca Burkes | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 12 | Hope Hendren Duke | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 13 | R. Scott Richardson | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 14 | Grant Hodges | Rep | 2014 | 2032 |
| 15 | John P. Carr | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 16 | Kendon Underwood | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 17 | Delia Haak | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 18 | Robin Lundstrum | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 19 | Steve Unger | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 20 | Denise Garner | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 21 | Nicole Clowney | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 22 | David Whitaker | Dem | 2012 | 2028 |
| 23 | Kendra Moore | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 24 | Charlene Fite | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 25 | Chad Puryear | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 26 | Mark H. Berry | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 27 | Steven Walker | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 28 | Bart Schultz | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 29 | Rick McClure | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 30 | Frances Cavenaugh | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 31 | Jimmy Gazaway | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 32 | Jack Ladyman | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 33 | Jon Milligan | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 34 | Joey L. Carr | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 35 | Milton Nicks | Dem | 2014 | 2030 |
| 36 | Johnny Rye | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 37 | Steve Hollowell | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 38 | Dwight Tosh | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 39 | Wayne Long | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 40 | Shad Pearce | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 41 | Josh Miller | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 42 | Stephen Meeks | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 43 | Rick Beck | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 44 | Stan Berry | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 45 | Aaron Pilkington | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 46 | Jon Eubanks | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 47 | Lee Johnson | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 48 | Ryan A. Rose | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 49 | Jay Richardson | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 50 | Zachary Gramlich | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 51 | Cindy Crawford | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 52 | Marcus Richmond | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 53 | Matt Duffield | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 54 | Mary Bentley | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 55 | Matthew Brown | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 56 | Stephen Magie | Dem | 2012 | 2028 |
| 57 | Cameron Cooper | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 58 | Les Eaves | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 59 | Jim Wooten | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 60 | Roger Lynch | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 61 | Jeremiah Moore | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 62 | Mark McElroy | Rep | 2012 | 2030 |
| 63 | Deborah Ferguson | Dem | 2012 | 2028 |
| 64 | Ken Ferguson | Dem | 2014 | 2030 |
| 65 | Vivian Flowers | Dem | 2014 | 2030 |
| 66 | Mark Perry | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 67 | Karilyn Brown | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 68 | Brian S. Evans | Rep | 2018 | 2034 |
| 69 | David Ray | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 70 | Carlton Wing | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 71 | Brandon C. Achor | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 72 | Jamie Aleshia Scott | Dem | 2018 | 2028 |
| 73 | Andrew Collins | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 74 | Tippi McCullough | Dem | 2018 | 2034 |
| 75 | Ashley Hudson | Dem | 2020 | 2036 |
| 76 | Joy Springer | Dem | 2020 (special) | 2036 |
| 77 | Fred Allen | Dem | 2016 | 2032 |
| 78 | Keith Brooks | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 79 | Tara Shephard | Dem | 2022 | 2038 |
| 80 | Denise Ennett | Dem | 2019 (special) | 2034 |
| 81 | R. J. Hawk | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 82 | Tony Furman | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 83 | Lanny Fite | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 84 | Les Warren | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 85 | Richard McGrew | Rep | 2020 (special) | 2036 |
| 86 | John Maddox | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 87 | DeAnn Vaught | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 88 | Danny Watson | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 89 | Justin Gonzales | Rep | 2014 | 2030 |
| 90 | Richard Womack | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 91 | Bruce Cozart | Rep | 2011† | 2028 |
| 92 | Julie Mayberry | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 93 | Mike Holcomb | Rep | 2012 | 2028 |
| 94 | Jeff Wardlaw | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 95 | Howard Beaty | Rep | 2020 | 2036 |
| 96 | Sonia Eubanks Barker | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
| 97 | Matthew Shepherd | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 98 | Wade Andrews | Rep | 2022 | 2038 |
| 99 | Lane Jean | Rep | 2010 | 2026 |
| 100 | Carol Dalby | Rep | 2016 | 2032 |
References
- ^ Glisovic, Marine (January 9, 2023). "The 94th General Assembly kicks off the 2023 Arkansas Legislative Session". Little Rock: KATV. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Brock, Roby (May 1, 2023). "Lawmakers adjourn 'sine die' to end 94th General Assembly regular session". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ Wickline, Michael R. (September 9, 2023). "Sanders calls General Assembly back into session to consider another cut in state's top individual income tax rate". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock: WEHCO Media. ISSN 1060-4332. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ Wickline, Michael R.; Earley, Neal (September 14, 2023). "Tax cuts, open records laws passed; Arkansas legislature adjourns special session". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock: WEHCO Media. ISSN 1060-4332. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ Tilley, Michael (September 14, 2023). "Gov. Sanders signs FOIA bill, says she is not finished with 'government efficiency'". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ Massey, Kyle (September 18–24, 2023). "Governor Retreats on FOIA Changes". Arkansas Business. Vol. 40, no. 38. Little Rock: Arkansas Business Publishing Group. p. 6. ISSN 1053-6582.
- ^ a b c 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.
