Representative Ryan A. Rose

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — April 1, 2025 (29:59)

said something in the beginning, and I missed the first thing you said. It almost sounded like if the federal government did something, then we can do something.

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:54:13)

Representative Ray in his closing on that, but you guys haven't done any polling or anything recently. You're just basing on opinion and past performance of something similar. Is that correct? Yes, sir. All right, thank you. All right, seeing

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:54:04)

It would have increased the voting threshold to pass the measure to 60% of the voters. This would have a similar impact to increase in the counties. Okay, I'll defer to

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:53:50)

estimation that it would not pass is based solely on your opinion? It's based on the results of the past similar measures. For instance, issue three that was passed, or it was issue two in 2022 would have had a similar effect.

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:53:46)

this? On this specific measure? No, sir. So your

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:53:43)

your organization done any polling on

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:53:36)

Representative Rose, you're recognized. Ms. Zimmerman, thank you for your testimony today. Have you or

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:53:23)

as well as citizen amendments in this resolution, but we ask that you do not move forward with HJR 1017.

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:52:53)

It is likely that this measure, too, will fail when put to the people for their consideration. We hope that if that is the case, that the legislature will reconsider their attempts to restrict ballot access and align with the will of the voters on this issue. should not be denied the right to pass measures because of burdensome restrictions. The merits of the measure should be the deciding factor. We are thankful, however, that Representative Ray included legislatively referred amendments

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:52:22)

For over 100 years, Arkansas has not only been a representative democracy, but also a direct democracy, a right of the people enshrined in our Constitution. Though the state legislature has passed a series of legislation to restrict this right, voters have again and again rejected legislatively referred amendments to the same effect. Issue 3 in 2020 failed with nearly 56% of the vote, and in 2022, Issue 2 failed with 59% of the vote.

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:52:02)

representing, you'll be recognized to present your remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. I'm Rebecca Zimmerman, the Community Engagement Director at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Arkansas Advocates believes that families should have a say in major decisions impacting them. That is why we support the ballot measure process and ask that you do not refer HJR 1017.

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:19:51)

Listen, I'm not even asking you to agree if they're right or wrong. Is

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:19:12)

but we're legal minds. We have a very good understanding of the law, and we believe that this is bad. And I did sense some irritation that the bill sponsors and maybe the team, the committee that put that together kind of broke away from you guys. And I guess I just wanted to say the position that you hold is, hey, from a legal standpoint, we really feel like this is bad. And I know that you have a personal tie as a family that's gone through tragedy. But I also wanted to say, would it be fair to say that the folks who move forward with this bill may feel that they have some authority on victims and how victims feel and what they're fighting for from a victim's perspective?

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:18:53)

after you for the letter. We can debate the merits of whether to or not to some other time. It was just I listened to your testimony where you made the case, hey, listen, all 28 of us, this is my language, not yours, I'm paraphrasing,

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:18:04)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I'm sorry for the tragedies that you and your family have gone through. Thank you for sharing personal testimony. You referenced the, I apologize, this is a letter or statement. You referenced that all 28 of

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (2:18:23)

you are in agreement. You have a position, the 28 of

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (1:32:14)

and that is separate from what you guys are talking about, because that's with the Secretary

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (1:32:07)

point there is a check down box And I think that was just talking about that you can select an unlisted PAC,

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (1:23:06)

Representative Pilkington. I'm close for my Bill. Thank you, committee. Thank you for

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) — April 2, 2025 (1:17:45)

Like I said, this is some language