City, County & Local Affairs Committee- House
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Bills discussed (23)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1503
Act 313
· 4 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…AND TO REQUIRE NOTICE AND COMPENSATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS. HB1503 Clowney TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON THE REGULATION … | Clowney | Notification that HB1503 is now Act 313 |
|
SB297
Act 283
· 3 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…CERTAIN NONPARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD AND MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES. SB297 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPALITIES CHOOSI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPALITIES CHOOSING TO ELECT COUNCIL MEMBERS; AND TO REQUIRE FILING … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB297 is now Act 283 |
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HB1272
Act 520
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1272 Warren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY VACATED BY A MU…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY VACATED BY A MUNICIPALITY; AND TO REQUIRE VESTED ABANDONED … | Warren | Notification that HB1272 is now Act 520 |
|
HB1274
Act 521
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1274 Warren TO ALLOW A TITLE INSURANCE AGENT, TITLE INSURER, OR…”
|
TO ALLOW A TITLE INSURANCE AGENT, TITLE INSURER, OR TITLE COMPANY TO PAY REAL PROPERTY … | Warren | Notification that HB1274 is now Act 521 |
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HB1414
Act 417
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ACATION LEAVE, AND SICK LEAVE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. HB1414 Andrews TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES; AND TO UPDATE THE SCHEDULE OF … | Andrews | Notification that HB1414 is now Act 417 |
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HB1448
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…Rep. Stetson Painter REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1448 Puryear TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PLANNING AREA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PLANNING AREAS; AND TO REQUIRE NOTICE AND COMPENSATION TO … | Puryear | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1555
Act 995
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…RESTRICTIONS ON THE REGULATION OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. HB1555 Painter TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACAN…”
|
TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN A MUNICIPAL OFFICE. | Painter | Notification that HB1555 is now Act 995 |
|
HB1589
Act 676
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN A MUNICIPAL OFFICE. HB1589 Schulz TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY; AND TO AMEND THE … | Schulz | Notification that HB1589 is now Act 676 |
|
HB1590
Act 454
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…MEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ANNUAL COUNTY FINANCIAL REPORT. HB1590 J. Moore TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLEC…”
|
TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN WOODRUFF COUNTY. | J. Moore | Notification that HB1590 is now Act 454 |
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HB1591
Act 455
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN WOODRUFF COUNTY. HB1591 J. Moore TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLEC…”
|
TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN ARKANSAS COUNTY. | J. Moore | Notification that HB1591 is now Act 455 |
|
HB1600
Act 317
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN ARKANSAS COUNTY. HB1600 Tosh TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HOLIDAY … | Tosh | Notification that HB1600 is now Act 317 |
|
HB1618
Act 523
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…HEDULE OF EQUIPMENT RATES USED IN CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES. HB1618 Hawk TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELECTION, APPOINTMENT,…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELECTION, APPOINTMENT, AND CONTRACTING OF A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY. | Hawk | Notification that HB1618 is now Act 523 |
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HB1627
Act 877
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TION, APPOINTMENT, AND CONTRACTING OF A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY. HB1627 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AN…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AND TO REQUIRE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE NOTICE … | Barnett | Notification that HB1627 is now Act 877 |
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SB270
Act 360
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ING CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF OFFERED UNDER ARKANSAS LAW. SB270 Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FILING PERIODS OF C…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FILING PERIODS OF CERTAIN NONPARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD AND MUNICIPAL … | Crowell | Notification that SB270 is now Act 360 |
|
HB1130
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TION ORDINANCE IS NOT ADOPTED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. HB1130 Pilkington TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PERMITTING FOR RESID…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PERMITTING FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION; TO AMEND THE FAST-TRACK PERMITS ACT; … | Pilkington | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1212
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SERVICING UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY TO LEVY DUES. HB1212 Steimel TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CIVIL OFFICE HOLDINGS;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CIVIL OFFICE HOLDINGS; AND TO ALLOW A JUSTICE OF THE … | Steimel | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1331
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ISSUANCE OF A TITLE. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1331 Barnes TO REQUIRE A COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNDER THE…”
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TO REQUIRE A COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNDER THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE … | Barnes | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1416
Act 673
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…OW A LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO CREATE A HOUSING IMPROVEMENT ZONE. HB1416 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPAR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING FIRE DEPARTMENTS; AND TO ALLOW A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICING … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1416 is now Act 673 |
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HB1436
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TO ALSO SERVE AS A POLICE OFFICER IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. HB1436 Steele TO PLACE LOCATION RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOOD PROCE…”
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TO PLACE LOCATION RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOOD PROCESSING PLANTS OPERATING A SLAUGHTERHOUSE ON THE SAME … | Steele | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
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HB1462
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…PROPERTY OWNER'S INFORMATION POSTED ON AN ONLINE DATABASE. HB1462 Painter TO AUTHORIZE AN OWNER OF A PUBLIC WATERWORKS SYSTEM…”
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TO AUTHORIZE AN OWNER OF A PUBLIC WATERWORKS SYSTEM TO EXPEND PUBLIC FUNDS AND TO … | Painter | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
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HB1564
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “AGENDA (Revised 3/5/25 @ 8:03AM) Removed HB1564 House Committee on City, County, and Local Affairs Wednesda…”
|
TO MODIFY MOTOR VEHICLE RACING FACILITY PERMITS AND TO SET CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON A MOTOR … | Long | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1565
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…MOTOR VEHICLE RACING FACILITY PERMITS IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS. HB1565 R. Burkes TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DUTIES OF A COUNT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DUTIES OF A COUNTY PROPERTY ASSESSOR; AND TO PERMIT … | R. Burkes | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1567
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TERHOUSE ON THE SAME GROUNDS AS THE FOOD PROCESSING PLANTS. HB1567 McClure TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "MOTOR VEHICLE RACING FA…”
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TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "MOTOR VEHICLE RACING FACILITY" RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE RACING FACILITY … | McClure | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
Machine transcript
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to everyone if you testify, please use your microphones and anyone in the audience who's willing or wishing to speak for or against the bill, please remember to sign in. Members, if there's no objections, I'm gonna go a little bit out of order here Representative Tosh is needing to get to another committee meeting, seeing no objections, Captain Tosh, you are recognized to present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
0:37
members, this bill is brought to me by the uh municipal League.
There's some language in the old bill that said employees and uh referred to as just police officers. The, uh, this is to clear up any, uh, questions as to exactly the intent of that bill and what this relates to is to leave time for police officers, how they accumulate annual leave and sick leave. None of that has changed. The only thing we put in this bill. For employees and for police officers, we put the words full time because uh full-time
officers are the ones that should be earning the sick leave and the annual leave now for municipality wants to award some type of leave time to a part-time officer, then obviously they have the uh discretion to do that, but that's a decision that each municipality can make. So that's what the bill does. It just, uh, for clarification, it says it has to be a full-time employee. a full-time police officer, and with that, uh, I'll take any questions. Are there any questions from committee?
Seeing none, Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against the bill. I ain't seen none. What are the wishes of the committee? We have a motion due
passed by Representative Painter. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Congratulations, sir, your bill is passed. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
2:04
Chair. Committee members, thank you. Next we'll
go to House Bill 1503 by Representative Clowney. If you will identify yourself
for the record, you are. Recognized to present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Actually, if there's anybody else here who
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
2:21
could present. I know Senator Hester wanted to be here too, and he's on his way over. If there's somebody else here who wants to run, they can jump ahead a line in front of me, but otherwise I'm ready to go without him. Anybody here? OK. Here I go. OK.
All right, thank you committee. As we all know, Arkansas is in the middle of an affordable housing shortage. We have got families across our state, um, struggling to find affordable housing. Young professionals, seniors, all of these groups are really struggling to find a place to live. And in Washington County where I live, we are, um, faced with this problem day in and day out. I hear about it. In Washington County over the last 5 years, the cost of a house, average cost of a house has increased 65% in Benton County just north, that number is 73%.
House Bill 1503 that I'm presenting to y'all today offers a practical, cost-effective solution to our growing housing shortage, and that is accessory dwelling units. Um, accessory dwelling units, I'll call them ADUs throughout this presentation, but 80Us are small secondary housing units. Typically, um, behind a piece of property. So think of things like mother-in-law suits, garage apartments, that type of thing. 80Us enable homeowners. To more fully utilize their
property's potential. They also help to tackle the affordable housing option because they offer housing choices to give the affordable housing shortage because they offer housing options to families who have been priced out of the traditional market. Um, they provide long term rental opportunities. Options for downsizing and really importantly, a place for seniors to live as they age. So what this bill before you does, is it aims to increase ADU's supply by making it easier to
build ADUs. The bill is long, it's like 4 pages, but in some, this is what it does, um, it allows every landowner on a single family lot in the state of Arkansas. To build one ADU by right. It also prohibits municipalities from imposing certain regulations on ADU construction, things like, um, additional parking or use permits that make it really prohibitively hard to build these things. Um, this
will streamline the development process and reduce government obstacles to building ADUs. Allowing for ADUs in this way bestows a direct benefit on all landowners. The policy gives homeowners a clear new right to build on their own property. Many landowners may want an ADU for extra income, um, but again, what we see most often is to house a family member, either younger or older. In fact, older Americans have been particularly fond of this as a solution because they either move into
ADUs themselves to downsize or utilize these units, um, as a place for caretakers to live when they need them close by. ADUs are small, and they do not threaten to change the physical character of a neighborhood. That's why they're another great solution. Finally, encouraging ADU development makes a lot of sense, um, because it makes better use of our current infrastructure. ADUs are small, and they're on existing lots, which means that they minimize the need for new government
spending on utilities, roads, etc. In short, ADUs offer a powerful way to increase housing supply in our state without altering the character of our communities and without increasing government spending. We've seen ADUs work effectively in states like Montana, which is where our bill, um, was drafted that it was, it was the example that we used to draft our bill, um, in Montana, we've seen huge success. Now that it's easier for our homeowners to build ADUs.
AUs are an efficient, cost-effective housing solution that benefits both homeowners and renters. They increase housing stock, provide rental income to provide rental income to property owners. And offer affordable options for tenants, all while preserving neighborhood character. Um, the housing shortage facing Arkansas is real. ADUs are certainly not the solution, but they are a solution. And so that's why we brought forth
this bill today. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Are there any questions from committee?
Chair
Unverified
6:58
OK, starting off Representative Hokumb, you are recognized for a question.
Speaker 20
7:02
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the bill, uh, if I'm not
Representative Mike Holcomb
Unverified
7:06
mistaken, last year in Legislative council, uh, we, we passed changed or made a rule change for Bentonville School District, uh, where they could buy. I, I'm not sure now whether it was 20 or 40 acres because their employees could not afford housing and they were gonna build affordable housing. And I know last year that that the uh
the price of mid-range home mid-range homes in Washington County was like half a million dollars. Is that not correct? That's correct. OK, thank you, ma'am. Next up, we have,
Speaker 23
7:42
uh, Representative Burke. For a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So how does
Speaker 24
7:47
an ADU affect the current sewer or septic infrastructure for that lot. For example, if the lot had to perk for a certain number of, uh, you know, occupants in the in the home, do
you put in a new septic system? How does that work with that?
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
8:06
Yeah. Thank you. Well, these, these are in cities which primarily would have uh a sewer system. Look, if, if, if they can't get the health department permit for an extra, uh, then you simply wouldn't be able to do it. Uh, if, if it's required to have a state permit for health department, it would still be required to have that, that sewer permit. OK, thank you. Representative Carolyn
Chair
Unverified
8:26
Brown, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mister Chair. I'm
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
8:32
very supportive of the idea of ADUs, and I would really like to see them implemented and I particularly like the idea of them being available for, um, and not necessarily just extra rental property, but for this, um, conditions that you pointed out, maybe another family member or a caregiver, or, or whatever, I think it's a great idea and some of our lawns are very large and so there's plenty room for an ADU, uh, a lot of, I think a lot of city ordinances
probably don't allow for them. Would this Bill Cad cities to have to change those ordinances and in addition to that, um, you know, they have setbacks and uh you have to be so far from the property line and things like that. How, how would this all play out? So it's a great question, Representative Brown.
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
9:25
So currently, it varies city to city. Some outright ban ADU, some in single family zones, you
have to apply for um an additional permit to build an ADU and what we find is that when you introduce that kind of discretionary review process, you discourage homeowners from building. So 80 us are typically pretty inexpensive to build, but often what's involved if you are trying to get, um, the permission from your city to build one. is um a pretty complicated process. It may require a pretty time consuming and intimidating public hearing. It can require
a, a non-refundable fee that you have to pay to apply for the permit. It can require site plan drawings that are obviously expensive to get drawn up and all of those things are only, um, for the opportunity to apply for the permit. You're not even, you know, guaranteed to get it. And so for that reason, people are hesitant, reluctant, you know, understandably reluctant to invest thousands of dollars on the front end when they don't know that they're even going to be successful. So what this bill does is it would mean that every person would be allowed to build one on their property, on their own property
without going through those processes and you asked another question and I've forgotten what it was. Well, I was
Speaker 32
10:39
just curious, uh, oh, setbacks, setbacks, and then, you know, you have to
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
10:43
be so many feet from the like 6 ft or whatever from the property line. So this does not impact all this
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
10:48
bill does is it says whatever the setback requirements are that the city has already put place for a single family zone, um, applied to the ADU as well. Thank you very much. Representative Scott Richardson, you're recognized for a question.
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
11:07
Thank you, Mr. Chair. um, so, so I'm, I'm a little concerned, or I should say a little curious on how this is
Scott Richardson
Unverified
11:14
going to work with regard to existing. POA, um, guidelines or existing POA, um, bylaws. Now is this going to impact them? What kinds of concerns did they have, um, what changes would they have to be? Thank you. That's a good question. So
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
11:31
on page, let me try to find it. Um. S
This does not impact the short answer, Representative Richardson, is that this does not impact agreements made between private parties. Yes, OK, so that is on page 3. Line. Let's see, where are we? Yes, lines 25 through 27. This section does not
prohibit covenants concerning accessory dwelling units entered into between private parties. So if you're in a POA and two private parties have entered into agreement not to build these in their neighborhoods. That is
unaffected. All this bill does is impact the cities, municipalities. Thank you. Representative McKenzie,
you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Pardon me. Um, I wanna first thank you
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
12:22
for bringing this bill. Um, uh, talking with colleagues on the committee, I think this is the 2nd best bill of
the session so far, um. I've talked to people about this. I, I do love the way that it's written in terms of making it a buy right, um, classification. I do want to
understand emphasis. I know we in the legislature, we use a lot of model legislation, things we see that we like in other states, but, um, for both of you, you represent an area that is growing and then burgeoning. I would love to know if there was any um catalyst for this if you had had anecdotes, stories, information from constituents that had led you to want to, you know, to drive this clarity in our code. Yeah Well, I, I will
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
13:04
say as somebody that works, uh, heavily in construction real estate world in in our world, uh, the land cost is the biggest hindrance to
affordable housing right now, um, and I would just say in areas with sewer, uh, you can't buy land for under $100,000 an acre in our area. So when when you already have land that already has infrastructure that's not being utilized as much as the property owner would like that's what it really boils down to there, there's such a significant need we already have the assets, um, and you know there's some, some people agree with urban sprawl or not urban sprawl. This helps deal with urban sprawl, uh, but when you already have the infrastructure, you already had
it set up, there's already land people want to be able to use it. That's what it boils down to, uh, one of the greatest hindrances to affordable housing is land,
seeing no other questions from we have one person signed up to speak for the bill, Mr. Mike Orndorf. If you come forward, please. Just come right
beside Representative Cony there, uh, push your microphone button,
identify yourself, and you are recognized. Yeah, I
Mike Orndorf
Unverified
14:15
appreciate you guys having me, and I apologize for the redundancy here, a lot of the questions that you guys asked were were answered, um. Uh, thank you again for this opportunity. My name is Mike Orndorf. I'm a home builder and resident here in Little Rock and uh actually in a neighborhood just down the street, uh Pettaway. I'm a small scale infill home builder and commercial developer, uh, Pettaway Square is my most notable, um, accomplishment. Um,
before the legalization of ADUs in my zoning. So I live in R4 zoning, um, before it was just recently legalized, um, I, I was able to build two ADUs, um, but the process that uh uh representative was talking about it is uh it was about a $2400 investment that you make and then um you don't know for sure if you're going to get approval. You're, you're gonna ask your neighbors for uh that approval and And then go through the planning
commission and um uh the, the city, city board, but Um, after working with the Mayor Frank Scott and the planning department in Little Rock, we were able to gain legalization of ADUs in our 4 zoning specifically, uh, in late 2023. Since then, I've been able to build 4 ADUs. Uh, I know the stories of many of those housed in these ADUs that I've built, uh, a special needs adult child lives behind her parents, a displaced nurse, uh, lives in one of them, a musician and guitar teacher lives in one of
them, an older single woman, empty nester lives in one. Uh, also one is being used as a small business production company and uh where she produces small uh short documentaries. Additionally, I built one for uh a young couple who's planning to have a, a child soon, and they wanted a place for their parents to stay whenever they came to help with uh their expected child, so, um, a lot of different needs that these things are, are used for. Uh, Um, I've also built 4 accessory
structure units, extra units are, uh, currently, uh, they're allowed by by right um in all of Little Rocks. Uh current zoning R1, 2, and 3. the only difference between an accessory structure unit and an accessory dwelling unit is the ability to use an accessory dwelling unit as a place to prepare and cook food, so the aesthetics of uh an ASU versus an ADU the size, uh, the cost to construct is of no difference with the exception of the, uh,
infrastructure related cost and the cost of a stove. Uh, so, like individuals already have the right to, you know, build, uh, housing, but it can't conceivably be used long term for anyone because they wouldn't be able to prepare food in it, um. So the antagonist that might have issue with this bill there and don't understand like there is no earth.
Shattering negative impact that comes, you know, 2 years after this bill, this, the legalization in R4, like the negative consequences that antagonists had with this change in ordinance for the city of Little Rock, like it never happened, like it just wasn't reasonable, uh, some of the issues that they had. Um, so anyway, I just wanted to to share that much. Um, Uh, ADUs don't just offer more affordable spaces for renters, uh, they create opportunity for home buyers to build generational wealth with the FHA
now recognizing income generated by ADUs and consideration of loan application, home buyers can now better afford to purchase a home. ADUs are not the answer to the housing and affordable housing crisis, but ADUs are a part of the answer. Uh, cities will still have the ability to request reasonable parking plans, appropriate stormwater drain runoff, and enforced building setbacks already in place. Um A couple, uh, just quick stories. I had invited some neighbors to have a conversation about affordable housing here
recently and uh like surprisingly, like just in my small sphere of influence, I, I'm not kidding, they were, they're well over 40 people that showed up to this, uh, this conversation. Uh, you know, individuals want To be a part of this conversation. They want to be a part of this solution. They, they want uh they. They, they want to see this issue resolved and ADUs are, uh, again, they're they're part of um part of the solution. And then the last story I wanted to share with you is about my
parents who, who live in Tennessee, which I understand is, you know, uh, neither here nor there, but for example, my my my parents, uh, they retired from the military and bought a home on 40 acres of land in Robertson County, Tennessee. Uh, this is, you know, 20 years ago, I had just finished serving in the military as well, and about the time that I was finishing up my 4 years of service, my dad built a small, unpermitted apartment inside a permitted detached garage for me to stay in, uh, after getting out of the military. The county assessor happened to be over there, took a peek into
the window, noticed that my dad had a stove and reported them. Uh, my dad built a breeze breezeway slash sunroom connection between the main house and the garage apartment to satisfy the county. But one's got to ask ourselves, like what level of governance do we want for ourselves that someone can on their 40 acres of land not have within their right and ability to build a small home for their aging children or parents, struggling family member, friend, and on and on. That's it. Thank you guys again so much.
Representative McKenzie, you are recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to get
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
19:56
a snapshot, uh, because you you mentioned how it worked in R4 in Little Rock. So you, you made a comment that it
cost $2400 as kind of an upfront, maybe non-refundable. entrance. Then you had to go get it legalized. Um, from the time you wrote the first check to when you put a shovel on the ground, how much time elapsed. I mean, it depends on when
Mike Orndorf
Unverified
20:13
those, uh, the, the, I'm sorry, the, uh, you know, planning commission is gonna meet and then the city board is gonna meet, but I, I generally throw
around the dates 3 to 6 months is a general expectation. After
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
20:25
the $2400 or at least on those initial two that you did. What is your current level of investment and time. So you said 36 months to get one going. Is the $2400 or is it $1200 per unit or? No, that, so that was just for one unit, it
Mike Orndorf
Unverified
20:40
was about $2400 and I mean that could potentially be streamlined by an individual, but that's generally what you're gonna pay. You're, you're gonna pay for a survey, you know, a
replat, uh, you, you're, you're gonna have the application, um, you're gonna have to go to a title company and get a, you know, legalized stamped document of all your neighbors within, you know, 200 ft, which, you know, maybe you get that done for $100 but sometimes it's $600. Um, And I feel like I'm, I'm forgetting a couple other uh fees, but it, it, it comes out to, you know, it was over 20 back then and just one last follow up. Uh, you, I'm gonna ask you to
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
21:17
look into your crystal ball. So if this bill passes, it goes into effect. How
long you, you are a builder, so you plan, you account for, you make a budget. What do you think in terms of time and money you're gonna
Mike Orndorf
Unverified
21:33
save if this goes into effect. Um, well, I, I'm already reaping the benefit of legalized ADUs because I live in R4, I build an R4, um, I built 4 in the last 2 years and it saved me the, you know, frustration on 4 different, uh, you know, projects and saved me $2400 on each one of those projects. Thank you. Mhm.
Representative Hall, you're recognized for a question. Thank
Representative Brad Hall
Unverified
21:59
you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I got one question, like, uh, in the older areas of the, of the cities, what if the sewer lines already maxed out. I've I haven't, man,
Speaker 68
22:09
I've, I've, I'm sorry, sir, I'm sorry, uh, representative, I, I've just
Mike Orndorf
Unverified
22:13
not heard of such, such a thing, but I mean, I, I suppose that that could be a concern. Um, you know, something else that I didn't know though is worth talking about in in the governor's mansion area ADUs have been legal legal for 100
years. They're, they're, they're legal by right in the governor's mansion, um, neighborhood currently and have been for 100 years, so just another example of what like long term legalization of ADUs, it's nothing earth shattering. um. So, uh, on the last page it says that they, they will provide that they will
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
22:43
serve it, but that's at the same requirement that the rest that the rest of the city has if there's no more sewer capacity, they, they cannot serve it. They're willing to, but they can't. Uh, so this is just saying that they, if they have the ability they have
to serve it. Look, we've got virtually every city in Northwest Arkansas has some portion of the city that they cannot serve currently. Some can't serve at all. It's the same situation, thank you. Saying no other question is you're excused, sir, and thank you for your service. Representative Clay, would you
like to close for your bill? Uh, thank you, committee. Thanks for, for listening to this today, I guess, in short,
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
23:18
I would just say we've got a housing shortage, we've got homeowners who want to help
ease that shortage. I don't think government should stand in the way of that, and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
What are the wishes of the committee? We have a motion do pass all in favor. Say I all opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bill.
Unknown speaker
24:02
Yeah. All right, Senator Hammer, you're up next, uh, Senate Bill 297.
Speaker 80
24:43
You'll just recognize yourself for the record you may begin your presentation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
24:48
uh, Kim Hammer, State Senator District 16. Mr. Chairman, may I have, and I think you, Senator Jonathan Kendricks join us at the table. Yes, you do. Yeah. Thank you. If you'll just introduce yourself, you For the record, please.
Jonathan Kendricks
Unverified
25:16
Hello. Uh, my name is Jonathan Kendricks. I am. The attorney for the state board of Election commissioners. Sorry about that. Uh, my name is Jonathan Kendricks. I'm the attorney for the state Board of Election commissioners. Ready? Go ahead. Thank
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
25:39
you. Uh, I'll give you the brief explanation, Bill, and then yield to question. It requires the cities to file their ordinance, uh,
regarding, uh, council elections with the clerk, uh, city has the option to do by ward or at large or combination, they will have to file with the county so that they will know in writing what they want for their election. There's been a little bit of confusion going on as far as whether, uh, seats are in a at large position or by ward and what this bill. does is require them to pass an ordinance declaring whether it's going to be an election at large or whether it's going to be by ward so that when it get when it gets printed, uh, they'll have
ample time to get it on the ballot, uh, but also to make sure that people understand if the person they're voting for is going for an at large or by ward position because it hasn't been getting done that way, and this is going to bring clarity, which should help uh voters have a better educated, uh, vote as to who they're voting for, and, uh, I would yield at this time to Jonathan either to straighten me out or, uh, affirm that what I shared with you is accurate as represented in the bill.
Jonathan Kendricks
Unverified
26:50
That's pretty, uh, that's pretty much straight on uh and accurate. And be glad to take any questions, Mr. Chairman.
Speaker 85
26:58
We have any questions from committee members? Seeing none. Is there, do we have anybody signed up to speak for or against this? No, nobody in the audience wants to speak for or against. All right, would you like to close for your
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
27:15
bill? I would, uh, this is just a matter of clarity. It doesn't restrict anybody's right to vote. In fact, if anything, it brings greater clarity because, uh,
it'll address the issue of is somebody running for an at-large position or a ward position, and that'll remove some of the confusion that, uh, voters in areas may have, so we'd appreciate a good vote, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Thank you, Senator Hammers closed for his bill. What's will the
Speaker 85
27:35
committee? I have a motion, motion to pass. Uh, any discussion
Chair
Unverified
27:39
on that motion? Seeing the discussion all in favor say aye, all opposed.
Speaker 85
27:44
Congratulations, you passed your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members. Good to be on the House side. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
27:54
Right. Representative Jeremiah Moore, you are recognized, which do you?
Are you gonna present both of these and, all right, let's just start with 1590 and then we'll move to 1591. Thank you,
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
28:12
Mr. Chair, members of the committee, uh, Jeremiah Moorehouse District 61. Today I have two bills, the first of which being 1590 is to combine the offices of treasurer and collector in Woodruff County.
Uh, this bill is a purely a district bill, uh, the Quorum Court passed a resolution, asked me to run legislation that would combine these two offices, and that is the best way to do that, that is taking the collector collector's position away from the sheriff who does not want to collect any anymore. and putting it with the treasurer, uh, for that, I'll be open for any questions. Have any questions from committee members?
Chair
Unverified
28:49
Seeing none, I have nobody to sign up, speak for or against anyone in the audience want to speak for or against
Representative Moore, would you like to close for your bill? I'm closed for my bill and I would appreciate a good vote. Have a motion to pass any discussion on that motion, seeing none, all in favor say aye. All opposed. Motion passes. Congratulations, you passed your first bill. All right, moving on to 1591. Thank you committee, uh,
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
29:16
1591, it's the exact same language for 1590. This is for the treasurer and collector's office to be combined in Arkansas County. Again, this is another district bill and the Quorum Court of
Arkansas County asked me to do this for them, um, and with that I'm close to my bill and would appreciate a good vote. Any questions from committee
Chair
Unverified
29:35
members? Seeing none, nobody signed up to speak for or against anybody in the audience want to speak for or against, seeing none, would you like to close for your bill? I'm closed for my bill. I have a motion. Do pass Any discussion on the motion? All in favor say aye, all opposed. Congratulations, you have passed your second bill. Thank you, committee.
Speaker 99
29:59
Next on the list, uh, representative Painter, is at 1555, you wanna run? Alright. Uh, with the chair's permission, I'd like to have John Wilkerson from the
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
30:17
missile League here next to me. Stetson Painter, uh, District 3, Baxter County and Fulton Counties.
Speaker 105
30:33
John Wilkerson, general counsel of the municipal League.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
30:39
So HB 1555 is to establish uniform procedures for filing a vacancy in a municipal office. All this does is make it consistent the ways to fill vacancies for all cities and towns. This has been an issue for them, uh, having to navigate different roles for different municipalities. All this bill does is give cities and towns the same two options, hold a special election or appoint for the remainder of the term. It clarifies mayor can't veto an
appointment, clarifies an interim can be appointed before this. special election. John, do you have any extra notes that you may want to provide. Like
Speaker 110
31:13
you said, it's all about consistency when you navigate 500 cities like we do, cities and towns, there's different rules depending on the classification, and this just makes it a, a, a lot easier for us to navigate and give consistent advice for everybody and it's completely optional on how they want to handle this situation, they being the cities want to handle the situation. Situation of a vacancy. In, in that situation of a
Chair
Unverified
31:37
vacancy and it's, it's appointed so it's, it's a mayor that's being appointed by city council, how however that works. So we've extended these mayor terms out to now 4-year, 4-year terms. So if they, is there a time frame where they have to hold a special election or if, if the mayor vacates it in the first year, they can appoint for the next 3, appoint for the remainder of the term, and that, that's, that was
Speaker 110
31:58
the difference. Some cities had different rules for that, but yeah, this makes it consistent. You can appoint for the remainder of the term. across the board. OK. Any questions from committee
Chair
Unverified
32:07
members? Saying none, do we have anybody signed up to speak for or against anyone in the audience want to speak for or against? Representative Painter, would
Speaker 99
32:16
you like to close for your bill? Yes, I appreciate
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
32:20
the committee's time. I closed and I would, uh, as a member of the committee, I'll make a motion to pass.
Chair
Unverified
32:25
I have a motion to pass any discussion on the motion, saying none, all in favor, say aye. All opposed. Congratulations you. Thank you
and I appreciate this time being easier than the last. Next up we'll have Representative Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, committee. Representative Bart Schultz,
District 28, Sharpstone Independence and Lawrence Counties. Today I bring before you uh House Bill 1589. This comes from our friends at the County treasurers Association. This is actually a pretty simple bill. Uh, we're covering 5 topics in this bill, uh, county financial operations and this bill is in order to comply with legislative rules uh concerning bill contents section one is just clean up and modernization. Section 2 were simply deleting the term warrant and replacing
it with check. Section 3 deleting the antiquated term monies and replacing it with monetary funds. Section 4 is a little more substantive, uh, the goal is to legally provide the ability for county annual. Uh, financial reports to take the semblance of the statement of revenues and expenditures and. Changes in fund balances that the legislative audit uses in their audits of county government. Many counties already prepared their financial reports in this manner at the
urging of the auditors, even though it is not, uh, the type of presentation that is currently required by law. And section 5. Concerns electronic fund transfers in the county, uh, currently it's allowed for electronic transfer of funds to a federal or state government entity without an actual system established by ordinance as long as uh a claim has been submitted. And approved through the county claims process and disbursement includes adequate documentation. This amendment simply adds that
these exceptions to the rules and subsection A. in other words, uh, you don't have to have an ordinance in place to do that, uh, I
know I ran through that pretty fast this time I would answer any questions. Representative Richardson, you're recognized for the question.
Chair
Unverified
35:01
Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair. uh. I, I appreciate the
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
35:09
bill. I'm a little. Concerned and a little sensitive to, uh, making these kinds of adjustments we're talking about
Scott Richardson
Unverified
35:17
specifically the financial statements, the financial, uh, presenting the financial performance of a county in that, um, a lot oftentimes we make these kinds of decisions and then don't provide. Any complete, or I should say a complete direction to the entities that we've provided, um, the requirement too. So I'm wondering if who's going to be Providing the training, who's going to be making sure that these counties know what, what it is that they're supposed to be doing. I mean, you said
several already are doing it this way, but obviously there's a number that aren't, so it'd kind of be interested to hear how many aren't and how we're going to approach making sure that they get the right kind of training so that they can, uh, provide the right kinds of financials. Representative, I always knew you were a sensitive guy.
Mr. Chair, with your permission, I would like to call some experts up to test fine, bring them up. Just have introduce yourself for the record. You may answer the question.
Speaker 120
36:19
Yeah Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm Selena Blair. I'm the president of the County treasurer's Association. And to answer your question, um, we have continuing education meetings 3 times a year. Um, I provide detailed documentation and emails that I send out and then we also present that through our continuing education board, and we'll make sure that everybody's on board and gets, and get that in compliance with legislative audit. Do you
Scott Richardson
Unverified
36:51
generally get 100% attendance for those, um, continuing ad. Um, I think at our last
Speaker 120
36:57
meeting we had 55 counties represented 74, um, Either treasures or deputy treasures were there, and then we also email out all of the continuing education meetings through our lister. So that gets all 75 counties informed. Thank you very much for that. What is the time frame, um, that
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
37:22
these, uh, counties would be required to get over to, uh, the new
Speaker 120
37:28
accounting system. It would be next year because March 15th is our deadline for this year, for last year's annual financial
Scott Richardson
Unverified
37:36
report. So we'll have one year, 3. Uh, different continuing ed opportunities, um, to change the way these counties are reporting their financials. That would be correct. Do we feel like that's adequate time? Yes, sir.
Speaker 120
37:54
We catch on pretty quick and I make sure that they get the information they need and I'm very adamant, um, usually, and especially when we had 27 new treasures coming in this term. Um, I made it my. Uh, mission to make sure that they were all on board and that we had a good reputation through the county treasurer Association. OK. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions from committee members?
Speaker 99
38:25
Seeing 9, or have anybody signed up to speak for or against.
Chair
Unverified
38:28
Anyone in the audience want to speak for or against? Representative Schultz, would you like to close
for your bill? Yes, sir, I'm closed for my bill and, uh, I would make a motion to pass.
Chair
Unverified
38:41
Uh, I have a motion do pass. Any discussion on that motion, seeing none, all in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations, you passed your bill. Next on the list, uh, House Bill
Speaker 116
39:07
1414, Representative Andrews. Yeah, just introduce yourself for the
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
39:21
record, you may begin. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, committee. Whitey Andrews, state rep District 98, uh, so House Bill 1414, it's a pretty simple bill. Um, what
it does is. Um, it makes the current FEMA rates. current, um, so when you first for, um,
It updates the schedule of equipment rights, uh, take a volunteer department, um, if they respond to a fire and that property owner's not a dues paying member that volunteer department, uh, that volunteer department has the right to build their insurance and so what this says, this just makes sure that the current rates that that the rate is to to the current FAMA amount, uh, just scratches out the 2013 date. And so up until now we were. They're paying the 2013 FEMA rate, so this just brings it current. Any questions?
Chair
Unverified
40:09
Any questions from committee members? Yes, Representative Painter, you recognized. What, what is the current
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
40:19
FEMA rate? Do you know? Uh, I do not, but. Yeah, if you want to come to
Chair
Unverified
40:26
the table and introduce yourself for the record, you may answer this question. Good morning my name's Brad Moore, and
Speaker 134
40:35
then let's say chair for the State Fire Association. Representative Painter, it's a hard question to answer because
the femur list is about 6 pages long. It averages anywhere from about $75 for a pumper all the way up to about 250. Uh, from 2013, the numbers with inflation and numbers have increased here from about 30 to 40%. So it's kind of hard to gauge, uh, to tell you what it is currently, so it has increased to about 40% on our numbers. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, Representative McKenzie, you're recognized
Chair
Unverified
41:05
for questions. Just a quick one, how does it,
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
41:13
how do we, how do you bill insurance for? Fire safety. Like, so is it? Someone's out there with a stopwatch and it's like, hey, we had a pumper going for 30 minutes and then we had a captain for like I'm just trying to figure out, is it a, is it a product and you just say, hey, we're gonna bill out for X amount and it's, it's like walking into an ER, you're gonna get hit
Speaker 137
41:35
with a certain amount. So based on the the form that it's the universal form. It, it's based on the, the
Speaker 134
41:40
equipment that's there and then the man hours based on the the time of
the call out versus the time the, the, the, the end of the call actually is follow up
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
41:50
just real quick. It basically this is a tough question to ask or answer, but, uh, like, is there
an average? So you go to a non-debt dues paying member, that your, the local or uh rural fire, um, district decides they have to bail out against insurance. Do you guys have like a number ballpark of what the average of that insurance claim is to call, you
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
42:11
know, it might be simple grease fire in the kitchen
you're, you're, you're there 15 minutes all the way to a full-on structure fire where you're there all night. Thank you. Seeing no further questions from committee members.
Chair
Unverified
42:27
Is there anyone to speak signed up to speak for or against anyone in the audience want to speak for or against, say a non-representative Andrews, would you like to close for your bill? Excuse me, I'm closed and uh make a motion to pass. I have a motion to pass any discussion on the motion, seeing none, all in favor say aye, all opposed. I
congratulations, you passed your bill. Right Is there anyone else in here that has a bill to run that they need her today? I don't
Speaker 99
43:02
want to skip over anybody like we did last week on accident. Uh. Seeing none so Representative Warren's bill y'all may have covered this before I got in here. His bills came off of
deferred, but they can't be heard today because of the two-day limit, so we will have a chance to hear those next week. If any of these other bills need to come off deferred, do you need to let me know, uh, we need to have 2 days' notice before they can be heard. So with that, seeing no further business in front of us we are adjourned.
Agenda
REGULAR AGENDA
HB1448 Puryear TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PLANNING AREAS; AND TO REQUIRE NOTICE AND COMPENSATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS.
HB1503 Clowney TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON THE REGULATION OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
Clowney
HB1555 Painter TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN A MUNICIPAL OFFICE.
Painter
HB1589 Schulz TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ANNUAL COUNTY FINANCIAL REPORT.
Schulz
HB1590 J. Moore TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN WOODRUFF COUNTY.
Moore
HB1591 J. Moore TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN ARKANSAS COUNTY.
Moore
HB1600 Tosh TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HOLIDAY COMPENSATION, ANNUAL VACATION LEAVE, AND SICK LEAVE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
Tosh
HB1414 Andrews TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES; AND TO UPDATE THE SCHEDULE OF EQUIPMENT RATES USED IN CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES.
Andrews
HB1618 Hawk TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELECTION, APPOINTMENT, AND CONTRACTING OF A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY.
HB1627 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AND TO REQUIRE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS CONCERNING CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF OFFERED UNDER ARKANSAS LAW.
SB270 Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FILING PERIODS OF CERTAIN NONPARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD AND MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES.
SB297 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPALITIES CHOOSING TO ELECT COUNCIL MEMBERS; AND TO REQUIRE FILING OF THE ORDINANCE DESCRIBING THE ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH THE COUNTY CLERK.
Hammer
HB1272 Warren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY VACATED BY A MUNICIPALITY; AND TO REQUIRE VESTED ABANDONED PROPERTY BE CONVEYED WITH THE ABUTTING REAL ESTATE.
HB1274 Warren TO ALLOW A TITLE INSURANCE AGENT, TITLE INSURER, OR TITLE COMPANY TO PAY REAL PROPERTY TAXES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF A TITLE.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- HOUSE, Mar 5, 2025 | Agenda | 2 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Bart Schulz Chair
Unverified
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 20
Representative Mike Holcomb
Unverified
Speaker 23
Speaker 24
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
Speaker 32
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
Scott Richardson
Unverified
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
Mike Orndorf
Unverified
Representative Brad Hall
Unverified
Speaker 68
Speaker 80
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Jonathan Kendricks
Unverified
Speaker 85
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
Speaker 99
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
Speaker 105
Speaker 110
Speaker 120
Speaker 116
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
Speaker 134
Speaker 137