Arkansas State Senate

Arkansas State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	April 8, 2026
Session end:	May 7, 2026
Term length:	2-4-4 year system
Term limits:	12 consecutive years; can return after a four-year break
Redistricting:	Commission
Salary:	$45,244/year + per diem
Members
Total:	35
Democrats:	6
Republicans:	28
Other:	0
Vacancies:	1
Leadership
President:	Leslie Rutledge (R)
Maj. Leader:	Blake Johnson (R)
Min. Leader:	Greg Leding (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Arkansas State Senate is the upper chamber of the Arkansas General Assembly. Alongside the Arkansas House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Arkansas state government and works alongside the governor of Arkansas to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Arkansas State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Arkansas State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Seventeen out of the Arkansas State Senate's 35 seats are up for election in 2026.

Eighteen seats out of the Arkansas Senate's 35 seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Republican majority remained 29-6.

Arkansas has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Arkansas State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control[edit]

Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Arkansas State Senate as of January 2026:

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate but only casts a vote in the case of a tie. In the absence of the lieutenant governor, the president pro tempore presides over the daily session. The president pro tempore is elected by full senate caucus and is also the chief leadership position in the majority caucus.^[1]

Leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: Leslie Rutledge (R)
• President Pro Tem: Bart Hester (R)
• Majority leader: Blake Johnson (R)
• Minority leader: Greg Leding (D)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2025[2]
Salary	Per diem
$45,244/year	No data available for 2025.

Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Arkansas legislators assume office on the second Monday of January following their election.^[3]

Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article 5, Section 4 of the Arkansas Constitution states: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of the United States, nor any one who has not been for two years next preceding his election, a resident of this State, and for one year next preceding his election, a resident of the county or district whence he may be chosen. Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and Representatives at least twenty-one years of age."^[4]

Article 19, Section 3 of the Arkansas Constitution states: "No persons shall be elected to, or appointed to fill a vacancy in, any office who does not possess the qualifications of an elector."^[5]

Historical party control[edit]

Republicans won control of the Arkansas State Senate in 2012. In 2024, they won a 29-6 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Arkansas Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Arkansas State Senate election results: 1992-2022

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	30	28	28	29	27	27	27	27	27	20	14	11	9	9	7	6	6
Republicans	5	7	6	6	8	8	8	8	8	15	21	24	26	26	28	29	29

Before 1992[edit]

Democrats held the chamber between 1874 and 2012. From 1914 to 1968, there were no Republican members of the chamber.

Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Arkansas was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1992-1996, 2007-2012
• Republican trifecta: 2015-2023
• Divided government: 1997-2006, 2013-2014

Arkansas Party Control: 1992-2025
Eleven years of Democratic trifectas  •  Eleven years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Arkansas state senators serve 2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Arkansas holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026[edit]

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is March 3, 2026, and the primary runoff is March 31, 2026. The filing deadline was November 12, 2025.

2024[edit]

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 5, 2024, and the primary runoff was April 2, 2024. The filing deadline was November 14, 2023.

In the 2024 elections, Republicans maintained their majority in the Arkansas State Senate at 29-6.

Arkansas State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	6	6
	Republican Party	29	29
Total		35	35

2022[edit]

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 24, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 21, 2022. The filing deadline was March 1, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas State Senate from 27-7 (with one independent) to 29-6.

Arkansas State Senate
Party		As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	7	6
	Republican Party	27	29
	Independent	1	0
Total		35	35

2020[edit]

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for March 31, 2020. The filing deadline was November 11, 2019.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas State Senate from 26-9 to 28-7.

Arkansas State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	9	7
	Republican Party	26	28
Total		35	35

2018[edit]

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on May 22, 2018.^[6] A primary runoff election took place on June 19, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 1, 2018.^[7]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas State Senate from 25-9 to 26-9.

Arkansas State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	9	9
	Republican Party	25	26
	Vacancy	1	0
Total		35	35

2016[edit]

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing period began at noon local time on November 2, 2015, and ended at noon local time on November 9, 2015.^[8] A total of 17 seats out of the 35 seats in the Arkansas State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 24-11 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 26-9 majority.

Arkansas State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	11	9
	Republican Party	24	26
Total		35	35

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014; a runoff election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 3, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 21-13 majority. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 24-11 majority. Arkansas State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 13 11      Republican Party 21 24      Vacancy 1 0 Total 35 35 2012[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 22, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 1, 2012. A total of 35 seats were up for election. Although Arkansas senators typically serve four-year terms, they are elected to a two-year term during the first election of the decade. Thus, rather than only half of all senators being up for election, all sitting members were on the ballot in November. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 20-15 majority. Democrats lost six seats in the election, giving Republicans a 21-14 majority. Arkansas State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 20 14      Republican Party 15 21 Total 35 35 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Arkansas State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 34 Jane English 0.8% 36,152 Barry Hyde District 27 Bobby Pierce 1% 31,311 Henry L. Firsby, II District 26 Eddie Cheatham 1.2% 28,603 Mike Akin District 20 Robert Thompson 1.7% 26,785 Blake Johnson District 19 David Wyatt 2.4% 30,158 Linda Collins-Smith District 11 Jimmy Hickey, Jr. 4.9% 27,658 Steve Harrelson District 23 Ronald Caldwell 6.1% 26,012 Jerry Brown District 13 Alan Clark 8.2% 30,069 Mike Fletcher District 35 Jason Rapert 8.5% 29,431 Linda Tyler District 28 Jonathan Dismang 9.1% 28,820 Tiffany Rogers 2010[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2010. State senate seats in 17 of the 35 districts were on the ballot in 2010. Electoral contests took place in Districts 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 34, and 35. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 27-8 majority. Democrats lost seven seats in the election, giving them a 20-15 majority. Arkansas State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 27 20      Republican Party 8 15 Total 35 35 In 2010, candidates running for Senate raised a total of $3,771,126 in campaign funds. Their top 10 contributors were:[9] 2010 Donors, Arkansas State Senate Donor Amount Greenberg, Daniel $185,638 Cowling, Ken $133,512 Arkansas Healthcare Association $113,000 Medley, Jim $55,800 Stephens Group $51,250 Arkansas State Farm Insurance $39,500 Arkansas Realtors Association $38,500 Harrison, Barrett E $34,500 Morton, Michael S $29,000 Harrelson, Steve $28,500 2008[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 20, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,304,660. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2008 Donors, Arkansas State Senate Donor Amount White, Joe M $99,824 Stephens Group $67,190 Arkansas Healthcare Association $57,186 Sumpter, Denny $46,400 Friedkin Business Services $36,000 Wal-Mart $27,500 Rural Arkansas Telecommunications Association $25,000 Morton, Michael S $24,000 Arkansas State Farm Insurance $21,000 Cmte to Save Arkansas Jobs $21,000 2006[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 5, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,575,949. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2006 Donors, Arkansas State Senate Donor Amount Arkansas Healthcare Association $75,250 Carver, Joel & Lynn $35,000 Southwestern Energy Co $32,750 Willis, Arnell $28,500 Arkansas Medical Society $27,000 Arkansas State Farm Insurance $26,250 Stephens Group $25,995 Simes, Alvin L $22,721 Crumbly, Jack $22,517 Rural Arkansas Telecommunications Association $22,000 2004[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 18, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,284,171. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2004 Donors, Arkansas State Senate Donor Amount Arkansas Healthcare Association $32,000 Stephens Group $29,000 Dees, Joyce A $25,200 Gullett, Brenda $20,853 Wilkes & Mchugh $18,000 Arkansas Medical Society $16,800 Acxiom Corp $14,500 Entergy $14,500 Alltel Corp $13,250 Southwestern Energy Co $12,200 2002[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 21, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,693,862. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2002 Donors, Arkansas State Senate Donor Amount Arkansas Healthcare Association $45,500 Trusty, Sharon Kathleen $36,500 Arkansas Realtors Association $36,250 Stephens Group $34,500 Entergy $31,500 Odom, Conrad T $30,465 Beverly Enterprises $27,750 Arkansas Republican Party $25,500 Southwestern Bell $24,750 Young, Dennis $20,500 2000[edit] See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 23, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,866,727. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2000 Donors, Arkansas State Senate Donor Amount Bryles, Steve $56,174 Whitaker, T J $53,111 Whiteside, John N $39,460 Wiley, Dorvan $32,310 Stephens Group $27,960 Arkansas Republican Party $25,000 Simes, Alvin L $21,450 Whitaker, Ruth $17,916 Entergy $17,850 Young, Dennis Ray $15,400

Term limits[edit]

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Arkansas legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. The state Senate has been term-limited since Arkansas voters approved the Arkansas Term Limits Initiative in 1992 as an initiated constitutional amendment. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2000.

In 2014, voters approved the Arkansas Elected Officials Ethics, Transparency and Financial Reform Amendment which permitted legislators to serve a total of 16 years in the House or Senate during his or her lifetime.^[15] In 2020, voters modified the term limits for Arkansas state legislative members. Voters passed Issue 2 in November 2020 with 55.38% of the vote. The measure imposed term limits of 12 consecutive years for state legislators with the opportunity to return after a four-year break. State legislators elected in November 2020 or already in office would be allowed to serve the former term limit of 16 years.

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Arkansas General Assembly, the governor must call for a special election to fill the vacancy. The election must be called by the governor without delay.^[16][17] For all special elections in the Senate, the county that first established the district is responsible for conducting the election.^[18] If the special election is to fill a House seat, the county board of election commissioners representing the vacant district conducts the election.^[19][20]

See sources: Arkansas Stat. Ann. § 7-11-103 and Arkansas Cons. Art. 5, § 6

District map[edit]

See also: Arkansas state legislative districts

The state of Arkansas has 35 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Arkansas

The Arkansas General Assembly is responsible for drawing congressional district lines. Both chambers of the state legislature must approve a single redistricting plan. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.^[21]

Arkansas' state legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission, the Arkansas Board of Apportionment. The commission comprises the governor, the secretary of state, and the attorney general.^[21]

The Arkansas Constitution requires that Arkansas State Senate district lines be "contiguous, and that they follow county lines except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.^[21]

2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Arkansas after the 2020 census

On December 29, 2021, new state House and Senate district maps went into effect.^[22] The Arkansas Board of Apportionment—made up of the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general—initially displayed these maps on Oct. 29, 2021, beginning a month-long public comment period.^[23] The board met on Nov. 29 to incorporate feedback and then voted 3-0 in favor of the final maps. These maps took effect for Arkansas' 2022 legislative elections.

District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Arkansas after the 2010 census

Four early versions of the Senate maps were released in late March 2011, and the Board of Apportionment released five proposed House maps in May of 2011.^[24] Governor Mike Beebe (D) and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel (D) released their initial map proposals in late July 2011.^[25] On July 29, 2011, the Board of Apportionment approved the new state legislative maps by a 2-1 vote.^[26]

Sessions[edit]

Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Arkansas State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Arkansas by year[edit]

2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2025, and adjourn on May 5, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024[edit] See also: 2024 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on April 10, 2024, and adjourn on May 9, 2024. 2023[edit] See also: 2023 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on May 1, 2023. 2022[edit] See also: 2022 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 14, 2022, and adjourn on March 15, 2022. 2021[edit] See also: 2021 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on October 15, 2021. 2020[edit] See also: 2020 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on April 8, 2020, and adjourn on April 24, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit] See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. On March 24, 2020, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) issued a proclamation convening a special session of the state legislature to begin March 26, 2020, and continuing indefinitely. The proclamation specified that one purpose of the special session would be "to create the COVID-19 Rainy Day Fund; to transfer funds to the COVID-19 Rainy Day Fund; and to Declare an Emergency." The special session adjourned on March 28, 2020. Lawmakers reconvened on April 8, 2020, and adjourned their regular session on April 24, 2020.[27][28] 2019[edit] See also: 2019 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through April 24, 2019. 2018[edit] See also: 2018 Arkansas legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from February 12, 2018, through March 13, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2017, through May 1, 2017. The legislature held a special session from May 1 to May 3. 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from April 13 through May 9. The legislature held a three-day special session from April 6 to April 8 over healthcare.[29] The legislature held a second special session from May 19 to May 23 over transportation. 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 12 through April 2. The legislature had a special session from May 26 to May 28. Major issues in 2015[edit] Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included Medicaid expansion, tax cuts, prisons, abortion, same-sex marriage, and education reforms.[30] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from February 10 to March 20. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included private option Medicaid expansion and a $5 billion proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The legislature also established an entrepreneurship program for college seniors called the Arkansas Fellowship.[31] Due to a 2008 constitutional amendment, sessions held in even-numbered years may only address financial matters.[32] 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 14 to May 17. Major issues in 2013[edit] Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included an agreement on expanding the Medicaid program by providing private insurance for low-income residents, a two percent increase in per-student funding for public schools, and a bill that requires voters to show photo identification at the polls.[33] During the first budget negotiations of the year, the Joint Budget Committee rejected a pay increase for elected officials.[34] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from February 13 to March 13. 2011[edit] See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 10 to April 27. 2010[edit] See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature convened for its fiscal session, meeting from February 8th to March 4th.

About legislative sessions in Arkansas[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[35] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article V of the Arkansas Constitution establishes when the Arkansas General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part, is to convene. Section 5 of Article V establishes the beginning date for regular sessions, but this date has been changed by law (as Section 5 allows). Under the law, the Arkansas legislature convenes its regular session on the second Monday in January of every odd-numbered year. The fiscal session is convened on the second Monday in February of every even-numbered year.^[36]

Section 17 of Article V limits the length of sessions to sixty days, unless extended by a two-thirds vote of each legislative house.

Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, term limits, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Arkansas are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? A majority of members in both chambers.

A simple majority of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 51 of the 100 members in the Arkansas House of Representatives and 18 of the 35 members in the Arkansas State Senate. Arkansas is one of six states that requires a majority vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

Authority: Article 6, Section 15 of the Arkansas Constitution.

"Every bill which shall have passed both houses of the General Assembly, shall be presented to the Governor; if he approve it, he shall sign it; but if he shall not approve it, he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it originated; which house shall enter the objections at large upon their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, a majority of the whole number elected to that house, shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other house; by which, likewise, it shall be reconsidered; and, if approved by a majority of the whole number elected to that house, it shall be a law; but in such cases the vote of both houses shall be determined by "yeas and nays;" and the names of the members voting for or against the bill, shall be entered on the journals."

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Arkansas state budget and finances

Arkansas on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[37][38]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in May of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in July.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in November.
4. The state legislature adopts a budget between January and April. The budget must be passed by a three-fourths majority.
5. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Arkansas is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[37][39]

The governor is required by statute to submit a balanced budget. The legislature is not legally required to pass a balanced budget.^[37]

Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Arkansas state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Arkansas State Senate has 14 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Arkansas Constitution can be amended:

See also: Section 22, Article 19, of the Arkansas Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Arkansas

The Arkansas Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process and a legislative process. Arkansas requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Initiative[edit]

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Arkansas, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Arkansas requires that a petition must contain qualified signatures equaling at least half of the required percentage of signatures (5%) from each of 50 of the state's 75 counties. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Arkansas State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Arkansas House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Arkansas State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

See also[edit]

Elections	Arkansas State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Arkansas State Senate elections, 2026 Arkansas State Senate elections, 2024 Arkansas State Senate elections, 2022 Arkansas State Senate elections, 2020 Arkansas State Senate elections, 2018	Arkansas General Assembly Arkansas House of Representatives Governor of Arkansas Arkansas Supreme Court	State legislative elections: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links[edit]

• Arkansas State Senate

Footnotes[edit]

	v • e State of Arkansas Little Rock (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy