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Asking voters to reconsider annual legislative session as well as changes to the state's term-limits laws are among the proposed constitutional amendments submitted by state lawmakers.
Wednesday was the deadline for legislators to file proposed amendments. The Legislature can refer three constitutional amendments for voters to consider in the 2010 general election.
Five proposals dealing with term limits — both on the state and local level — were filed by lawmakers. A proposal by Sen. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, would change the state's term-limits law to allow a state lawmaker to serve a total of 14 years in the General Assembly. Now, someone can serve in the House of Representatives for three terms — or six years — and someone can serve in the Senate for eight years, or two terms.
Pritchard's constitutional amendment would allow 14 total years in the General Assembly, regardless of chamber.
Another proposal, by Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, would increase the terms of county officials from two years to four years. The proposed amendment would also prohibit elected county officials from running for the Legislature unless they are in the final year of their term and not running for re-election to the county post.
Two senators have filed proposals to undo the annual legislative sessions that voters approved last year. Glover and Sen. Percy Malone, D-Arkadelphia, both filed nearly identical measures that would require the Legislature to meet every other year, beginning in 2011.
House Speaker Robbie Wills, D-Conway, filed a proposal that would eliminate standards for how Arkansas can issue bonds for so-called "super projects," and allow legislators to set such standards. Under an amendment approved by voters in 2004, the Legislature is authorized to issue bonds to attract large industrial projects that create at least 500 jobs with investments of at least $500 million.
Wills' proposal deletes the references to the $500 million investment and the creation of 500 jobs and puts the standards-setting task in the hands of the Legislature.
Sen. Steve Faris is trying again for an amendment creating a constitutional right for Arkansans to hunt and fish. Faris, D-Malvern, filed a proposed constitutional amendment to do that two years ago, but lawmakers didn't put it on the ballot.
The proposed constitutional amendment says Arkansans "have a right to hunt, fish, trap and harvest game, subject only to reasonable regulations prescribed by the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission."
Rep. Richard Carroll of North Little Rock filed a proposal to remove language from the state constitution that bans atheists from holding state office or testifying in court.
Amendment 19 of the Constitution says "No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this state, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court."
Green, a member of the Green Party, proposes to strike that language because it would "most likely be declared unconstitutional."
Asking voters to reconsider annual legislative session as well as changes to the state's term-limits laws are among the proposed constitutional amendments submitted by state lawmakers.
Wednesday was the deadline for legislators to file proposed amendments. The Legislature can refer three constitutional amendments for voters to consider in the 2010 general election.
Five proposals dealing with term limits — both on the state and local level — were filed by lawmakers. A proposal by Sen. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, would change the state's term-limits law to allow a state lawmaker to serve a total of 14 years in the General Assembly. Now, someone can serve in the House of Representatives for three terms — or six years — and someone can serve in the Senate for eight years, or two terms.
Pritchard's constitutional amendment would allow 14 total years in the General Assembly, regardless of chamber.
Another proposal, by Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, would increase the terms of county officials from two years to four years. The proposed amendment would also prohibit elected county officials from running for the Legislature unless they are in the final year of their term and not running for re-election to the county post.
Two senators have filed proposals to undo the annual legislative sessions that voters approved last year. Glover and Sen. Percy Malone, D-Arkadelphia, both filed nearly identical measures that would require the Legislature to meet every other year, beginning in 2011.
House Speaker Robbie Wills, D-Conway, filed a proposal that would eliminate standards for how Arkansas can issue bonds for so-called "super projects," and allow legislators to set such standards. Under an amendment approved by voters in 2004, the Legislature is authorized to issue bonds to attract large industrial projects that create at least 500 jobs with investments of at least $500 million.
Wills' proposal deletes the references to the $500 million investment and the creation of 500 jobs and puts the standards-setting task in the hands of the Legislature.
Sen. Steve Faris is trying again for an amendment creating a constitutional right for Arkansans to hunt and fish. Faris, D-Malvern, filed a proposed constitutional amendment to do that two years ago, but lawmakers didn't put it on the ballot.
The proposed constitutional amendment says Arkansans "have a right to hunt, fish, trap and harvest game, subject only to reasonable regulations prescribed by the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission."
Rep. Richard Carroll of North Little Rock filed a proposal to remove language from the state constitution that bans atheists from holding state office or testifying in court.
Amendment 19 of the Constitution says "No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this state, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court."
Green, a member of the Green Party, proposes to strike that language because it would "most likely be declared unconstitutional."
