Arkansas House of Representatives

The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the US state of Arkansas. The House has 100 members elected from an equal number of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 30,137, according to the 2020 federal census. Members are elected to two-year terms and, since the 2014 Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, limited to sixteen years cumulative in either house prior to a mandatory four-year respite before becoming eligible to run again. Effective in 2020, the limit was amended to twelve years consecutively (across both houses) before triggering the four year respite.

The Arkansas House of Representatives meets annually, in regular session in odd number years and for a fiscal session in even number years, at the State Capitol in Little Rock.

History

During the Reconstruction era that followed the American Civil War, the Federal government passed the Reconstruction Acts and African Americans were enfranchised with voting rights. African Americans were elected and served in the Arkansas House although the numbers eventually declined as the Democrats retook control and were able to restore white supremacy. By the start of the 20th century African Americans were largely barred from holding in the Arkansas House and across the southern states.

John Wilson, the first Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, stabbed Representative J. J. Anthony to death during a legislative debate on the floor of the chamber in 1837. Wilson was later acquitted. The Old State House is said to be haunted to this day.

In 1922, Frances Hunt became the first woman elected to a seat in the Arkansas General Assembly when she was elected to a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

Leadership of the House The Speaker of the House presides over the body and is elected by the membership every two years. Its duties include the supervision and directing the daily order of business, recognizing members to speak, preserving order in the House, deciding all questions of order and germaneness, certifying all measures passed, assigning committee leadership, and naming members to select committees. In the Speaker's absence, the Speaker Pro Tempore presides.

Officers Office Officer Party District Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Brian S. Evans Republican 68 Speaker Pro Tempore Vacant Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 1st District Dwight Tosh Republican 38 Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 2nd District Fred Allen Democratic 77 Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 3rd District Kendra Moore Republican 23 Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 4th District Les Warren Republican 84

Floor Leaders Office Officer Party District Majority Leader Howard M. Beaty Jr. Republican 95 Majority Whip Stetson Painter Republican 3 Minority Leader Andrew Collins Democratic 73 Minority Whip Denise Garner Democratic 20

Current composition

179 20 V Republican Democratic

AffiliationParty (Shading indicates majority caucus)TotalVacantRepublicanDemocraticIndependentEnd of the 90th General Assembly68311100091st General Assembly (2019-2021)76240100092nd General Assembly (2021-2023)78220100093rd General Assembly (2023-2025)821801000Begin 94th (2025)811901000September 30, 202580991March 3, 2026201000March 24, 202679991August 4, 2026801000August 5, 202679991Latest voting share

Current membership DistrictNamePartyResidenceFirst electedTerm Limited1RepMarmaduke202220342RepPocahontas202220343RepMountain Home202220344RepCotter202420365RepHarrison201420306RepHoliday Island201820347RepRogers202220348Vacant9DemSpringdale2024203610RepCenterton2022203411RepLowell2022203412RepGravette2022203413RepBentonville2022203414RepBentonville2024203615RepRogers2020203616RepCave Springs2020203617RepSiloam Springs2024203618RepElm Springs2014203019RepSpringdale2022203420DemFayetteville2018203421DemFayetteville2018203422DemFayetteville2012202823RepLincoln2022203424RepVan Buren2024203625RepHindsville2022203426RepHuntsville2024203627RepHorseshoe Bend2022203428RepCave City2022203429RepMalvern2020203630RepWalnut Ridge2016203231RepParagould2016203232RepJonesboro2014203033RepLake City2020203634RepBlytheville2022203435DemMarion2024203036RepTrumann2016203237RepForrest City2016203238RepJonesboro2014203239RepBradford2022203440RepBatesville2022203441RepHeber Springs2024203642RepGreenbrier2010202643RepCenter Ridge2014203044Bill TeeterRepRussellville2026 (special)203845RepKnoxville2016203246RepSubiaco2010202647RepGreenwood2018203448RepVan Buren2022203449DemFort Smith2018203450RepFort Smith2022203451RepFort Smith2018203452RepHarvey2014203053RepRussellville2022203454RepPerryville2014203055RepConway2022203456DemConway2012202857RepRomance2022203458RepSearcy2014203059RepBeebe2018 (special)203460RepLonoke2016203261RepClarendon2022203462RepTillar2012203063DemHughes2024203664DemPine Bluff2014203065DemPine Bluff2024203666DemJacksonville2008203067RepSherwood2014203068RepCabot2018203469RepMaumelle2020203670DemLittle Rock2026 (special)203871RepMaumelle2022203472DemNorth Little Rock2024203673DemLittle Rock2018203474DemLittle Rock2018203475DemLittle Rock2020203676DemLittle Rock2020 (special)203677DemLittle Rock2008202678RepLittle Rock2020203679DemLittle Rock2022203480DemLittle Rock2019 (special)203681RepBryant2022203482RepBenton2020203683RepBenton2024203684RepHot Springs2016203285RepHot Springs2019 (special)203686RepMena2016203287RepHoratio2014203088RepWashington2024203689RepOkolona2014203090RepArkadelphia2012202891RepHot Springs2011 (special)202892RepHensley2014203293RepPine Bluff2012202894RepHermitage2010202695RepCrossett2020203696RepSmackover2016203297RepEl Dorado2010202698RepCamden2022203499RepMagnolia20102026100RepTexarkana20162032

Past composition of the House of Representatives

Committees The House has 10 Standing Committees:

Class A: Education Judiciary Public Health, Welfare & Labor Public Transportation Revenue and Taxation

Class B: Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development City, County and Local Affairs Insurance and Commerce State Agencies and Governmental Affairs

House select committees: Rules House Management

Joint committees: Budget Energy Performance Review Public Retirement and Social Security Programs Advanced Communication and Information Technology

Current committees include:

Advanced Communications And Information Technology Aging, Children And Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs Veterans' Home Task Force House Leg., Military & Veterans Affairs House Children & Youth Subcom. House Aging Subcommittee Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development House Parks & Tourism Subcommittee House Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources Subcom. City, County & Local Affairs Committee House Planning Subcommittee House Local Government Personnel Subcommittee House Finance Subcommittee Education Committee House K-12, Vocational-Technical Institutions Subcommittee House Higher Education Subcommittee House Early Childhood Subcommittee House Management House Rules Insurance & Commerce House Utilities Subcommittee House Insurance Subcommittee House Financial Institutions Subcommittee Joint Performance Review Judiciary Committee House Juvenile Justice & Child Support Subcommittee House Courts & Civil Law Subcommittee House Corrections & Criminal Law Subcommittee Public Health, Welfare And Labor Committee House Labor & Environment Subcommittee House Human Services Subcommittee House Health Services Subcommittee Public Transportation House Waterways & Aeronautics Subcom. House And Rail Subcommittee House Motor Vehicle & Highways Subcom. Revenue & Taxation House Sales, Use, Misc. Taxes & Exemptions Subcom. House Income Taxes-Personal & Corporate Subcom. House Complaints And Remediation Subcom. State Agencies & Govt'L Affairs House State Agencies & Reorgan. Subcom House Elections Subcommittee House Constitutional Issues Subcommittee

Each representative serves on two standing committees, and each committee has 20 members. Standing committee chairmen and vice-chairmen are selected from respective committee rosters by the speaker.

Two select committees operate exclusively within the House. Members of the committees are appointed by the speaker. The House select committees are the House Committee on Rules and the House Management Committee.

The Committee on Rules considers all proposed action touching the House rules, the joint rules and the order of business. The Committee also considers all legislation dealing with alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco products, coin-operated amusement devices, vending machines, lobbying, code of ethics, pari-mutuel betting and similar legislation.

The House Management Committee works with the Speaker of the House to direct and oversee operations of the House of Representatives. Its duties include the hiring and supervision of the House Staff, the development of personnel policies and procedures, and the monitoring of facility usage and maintenance.

Representatives also serve on five committees that operate jointly with the Senate. They are Joint Budget, Joint Retirement and Social Security Programs, Joint Energy, Joint Performance Review and Joint Committee on Advanced, Communications and Information Technology

House members of the Joint Budget Committee are chosen by their peers from respective caucus districts. House members on other Joint Committees are appointed to their positions by the speaker.

Arkansas House of Representatives

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