91st Arkansas General Assembly

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Arkansas State Capitol (2009)

Overview
Term| January 9, 2017 (2017-1-9) – January 14, 2019 (2019-1-14)
Arkansas Senate
Members| 34 (23 R, 11 D, 1 vacant)
President of the Senate| Tim Griffin (R)
President Pro Tempore of the Senate| Jonathan Dismang (R)
Majority Leader| Jim Hendren (R)
Minority Leader| Keith Ingram (D)
Party control| Republican Party
House of Representatives
Members| 100 (69 R, 30 D, 1 Independent)
House Speaker| Jeremy Gillam (R)
Matthew Shepherd (R)
Speaker pro Tempore| Jon Eubanks (R)
Majority Leader| Ken Bragg (R)
Minority Leader| David Whitaker (D)
Party control| Republican Party
Sessions
| 1st| January 9, 2017 – May 1, 2017

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2nd| May 1, 2017 – May 3, 2017
3rd| February 12, 2018 – March 12, 2018
4th| March 13, 2018 – March 16, 2018

The Ninety-First Arkansas General Assembly was the legislative body of the state of Arkansas in 2017 and 2018. In this General Assembly, the Arkansas Senate and Arkansas House of Representatives were both controlled by the Republicans. In the Senate, 23 senators were Republicans, 11 were Democrats, and one position was vacant until April. In the House, 69 representatives were Republicans, 30 were Democrats, and one was independent.

## Sessions

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The Regular Session of the 91st General Assembly opened on January 9, 2017. It adjourned sine die May 1, 2017,[1] immediately followed the First Extraordinary Session.

## Major events

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### Corruption and scandals

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The 91st General Assembly was marked by several scandals, indictments, and guilty pleas involving current and former legislators. Two sitting legislators resigned following charges of fraud and other crimes. Former legislators Hank Wilkins IV, Jon Woods[2] and Micah Neal[3] plead guilty during the 91st General Assembly, detailing a fraud and kickback scheme abusing Arkansas's General Improvement Fund. Their pleas indicated sitting members in the 91st General Assembly could be charged later.

Representative Mickey Gates (R-22nd) made national news for failing to pay taxes for 15 years, but resisted calls for his resignation.[4]

### Major legislation

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One of the most contentious pieces of legislation was "Guns on Campus"

Page not found! - Arkansas State Legislature Page not found! - Arkansas State Legislature

### Vacancies

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* Senator Greg Standridge (R-16th) died November 16, 2017. He was replaced by Breanne Davis (R) via special election on May 22, 2018.[5]
* Senator Eddie Joe Williams (R-29th) resigned November 15, 2017 to serve as President Donald Trump's (R) representative to the Southern States Energy Board. He was replaced by Ricky Hill (R) via special election on May 22, 2018.[6]
* Representative David Branscum (R-83rd) resigned November 17, 2017 to become Arkansas's rural development director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was replaced by Donald Ragland (R) via special election on May 22, 2018.[7]
* Speaker Jeremy Gillam (R-45th) resigned June 15, 2018 to become director of governmental affairs and external relations at the University of Central Arkansas. Gillam's seat in the 45th District remained vacant, though Matthew Shepherd took over as speaker on June 15, 2018.[8]
* Senator Jake Files (R-8th) resigned February 9, 2018, following a federal wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering guilty plea.[9] He was replaced by Frank Glidewell (R) via special election on August 14, 2018.[10]
* Senator Jeremy Hutchinson (R-33rd) resigned August 31, 2018, following a federal grand jury indictment of eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of filing false tax returns.[11][12]

## Senate

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### Leadership

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#### Officers

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Office  | Officer  | Party  | District

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President/Lieutenant Governor | Tim Griffin | Republican  |
President Pro Tempore of the Senate | Jonathan Dismang | Republican  | 16
Assistant Presidents pro tempore | Missy Irvin | Republican  | 18
David J. Sanders | Republican  | 15
Cecile Bledsoe  | Republican  | 9
Stephanie Flowers | Democratic  | 25

#### Floor Leaders

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Office  | Officer  | Party  | District

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Majority Leader | Jim Hendren | Republican  | 29
Majority Whip | Bart Hester | Republican  | 1
Minority Leader | Keith Ingram | Democratic  | 24
Minority Whip | Will Bond | Democratic  | 32

Source: Arkansas Senate[13]

### Senators

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District  | Name[14] | Party  | Residence  | First elected  | Seat up  | Term-limited

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1  | Bart Hester | Rep  | Cave Springs | 2012  | 2020  | 2028
2  | Jim Hendren | Rep  | Gravette | 2012  | 2020  | 2028
3  | Cecile Bledsoe  | Rep  | Rogers | 2008  | 2018  | 2020
4  | Uvalde Lindsey | Dem  | Fayetteville | 2012  | 2018  | 2026
5  | Bryan King | Rep  | Green Forest | 2012  | 2018  | 2024
6  | Gary Stubblefield | Rep  | Branch | 2012  | 2018  | 2028
7  | Lance Eads | Rep  | Springdale | 2016  | 2020  | 2032
8  | Jake Files | Rep  | Fort Smith | 2013  | 2018  |
9  | Terry Rice | Rep  | Waldron | 2014  | 2018  | 2024
10  | Larry Teague | Dem  | Nashville | 2008  | 2018  | 2020
11  | Jimmy Hickey Jr. | Rep  | Texarkana | 2012  | 2020  | 2028
12  | Bruce Maloch | Dem  | Magnolia | 2012  | 2020  | 2028
13  | Alan Clark | Rep  | Lonsdale | 2012  | 2020  | 2028
14  | Bill Sample | Rep  | Hot Springs | 2010  | 2018  | 2020
15  | David J. Sanders | Rep  | Little Rock | 2012  | 2018  | 2026
16  | Greg Standridge | Rep  | Russellville | 2015 (special)  | 2020  |
17  | Scott Flippo | Rep  | Mountain Home | 2014  | 2018  | 2030
18  | Missy Irvin | Rep  | Mountain View | 2010  | 2018  | 2026
19  | Linda Collins-Smith | Rep  | Pocahontas | 2014  | 2018  | 2026
20  | Blake Johnson | Rep  | Corning | 2014  | 2018  | 2030
21  | John Cooper | Rep  | Jonesboro | 2014 (special)  | 2020  | 2032
22  | David Wallace | Rep  | Leachville | 2016  | 2020  | 2026
23  | Ron Caldwell | Rep  | Wynne | 2012  | 2020  | 2028
24  | Keith Ingram | Dem  | West Memphis | 2012  | 2018  | 2024
25  | Stephanie Flowers | Dem  | Pine Bluff | 2010  | 2020  | 2020
26  | Eddie Cheatham | Dem  | Crossett | 2012  | 2020  | 2022
27  | Trent Garner | Rep  | El Dorado | 2016  | 2020  | 2032
28  | Jonathan Dismang | Rep  | Beebe | 2010  | 2020  | 2024
29  | Eddie Joe Williams | Rep  | Cabot | 2010  | 2020  | 2024
30  | Linda Chesterfield | Dem  | Little Rock | 2010  | 2018  | 2020
31  | Joyce Elliott | Dem  | Little Rock | 2008  | 2018  | 2020
32  | Will Bond | Dem  | Little Rock | 2016  | 2020  | 2020
33  | Jeremy Hutchinson | Rep  | Benton | 2010  | 2018  | 2020
34  | Jane English | Rep  | North Little Rock | 2012  | 2020  | 2026
35  | Jason Rapert | Rep  | Conway | 2010  | 2018  | 2026

## House of Representatives

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### Leadership

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#### Officers

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#### Floor Leaders

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### Representatives

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District  | Name  | Party  | First elected  | Term-limited

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1  | Carol Dalby | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
2  | Lane Jean | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
3  | Danny Watson | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
4  | DeAnn Vaught | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
5  | David Fielding | Dem  | 2010  | 2026
6  | Matthew Shepherd | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
7  | Sonia Eubanks Barker | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
8  | Jeff Wardlaw | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
9  | LeAnne Burch | Dem  | 2016  | 2032
10  | Mike Holcomb | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
11  | Mark McElroy | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
12  | Chris Richey | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
13  | David Hillman | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
14  | Roger Lynch | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
15  | Ken Bragg | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
16  | Ken Ferguson | Dem  | 2014  | 2030
17  | Vivian Flowers | Dem  | 2014  | 2030
18  | Richard Womack | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
19  | Justin Gonzales | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
20  | John Maddox | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
21  | Marcus Richmond | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
22  | Mickey Gates | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
23  | Lanny Fite | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
26  | Laurie Rushing | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
24  | Bruce Cozart | Rep  | 2011†  | 2028
25  | Les Warren | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
27  | Andy Mayberry | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
28  | Kim Hammer | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
29  | Fredrick Love | Dem  | 2010  | 2026
30  | Fred Allen | Dem  | 2016  | 2032
31  | Andy Davis | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
32  | Jim Sorvillo | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
33  | Warwick Sabin | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
34  | John Walker | Dem  | 2010  | 2026
35  | Clarke Tucker | Dem  | 2014  | 2030
36  | Charles Blake | Dem  | 2014  | 2030
37  | Eddie Armstrong | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
38  | Carlton Wing | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
39  | Mark Lowery | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
40  | Douglas House | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
41  | Karilyn Brown | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
42  | Bob Johnson | Dem  | 2014  | 2030
43  | Tim Lemons | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
44  | Joe Farrer | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
45  | Jeremy Gillam | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
46  | Les Eaves | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
47  | Michael John Gray | Dem  | 2014  | 2030
48  | Reginald Murdock | Dem  | 2010  | 2026
49  | Steve Hollowell | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
50  | Milton Nicks | Dem  | 2014  | 2030
51  | Deborah Ferguson | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
52  | Dwight Tosh | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
53  | Dan Sullivan | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
54  | Johnny Rye | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
55  | Monte Hodges | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
56  | Joe Jett | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
57  | Jimmy Gazaway | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
58  | Brandt Smith | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
59  | Jack Ladyman | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
60  | Frances Cavenaugh | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
61  | Scott Baltz | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
62  | Michelle Gray | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
63  | James Sturch | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
64  | John Payton | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
65  | Rick Beck | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
66  | Josh Miller | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
67  | Stephen Meeks | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
68  | Trevor Drown | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
69  | Aaron Pilkington | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
70  | David Meeks | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
71  | Kenneth Henderson | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
72  | Stephen Magie | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
73  | Mary Bentley | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
74  | Jon Eubanks | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
75  | Charlotte Douglas | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
76  | Mathew Pitsch | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
77  | Justin Boyd | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
78  | George McGill | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
79  | Gary Deffenbaugh | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
80  | Charlene Fite | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
81  | Bruce Coleman | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
82  | Sarah Capp | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
83  | Donald Ragland | Rep  | 2018  | 2034
84  | Charlie Collins | Rep  | 2010  | 2026
85  | David Whitaker | Dem  | 2012  | 2028
86  | Greg Leding | Dem  | 2010  | 2026
87  | Robin Lundstrum | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
88  | Clint Penzo | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
89  | Jeff Williams | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
90  | Jana Della Rosa | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
91  | Dan Douglas | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
92  | Kim Hendren | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
93  | Jim Dotson | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
94  | Rebecca Petty | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
95  | Austin McCollum | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
96  | Grant Hodges | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
97  | Bob Ballinger | Rep  | 2012  | 2028
98  | Ron McNair | Rep  | 2014  | 2030
99  | Jack Fortner | Rep  | 2016  | 2032
100  | Nelda Speaks | Rep  | 2014  | 2030

## See also

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* List of Arkansas General Assemblies

## References

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1. ^ Information Systems Department (September 16, 2018). "91st General Assembly - Regular Session 2017". Little Rock: Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
2. ^ Cook, Marty; Turner, Lance (September 5, 2018). "Update: Jon Woods Sentenced to 220 Months in Prison for Kickback Scheme". Arkansas Business. Arkansas Business Publishing Group. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
3. ^ "Micah Neal Plea Agreement in United States District Court, Western District of Arkansas" (PDF). Arkansas Times. January 4, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 10, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
4. ^ Dedaj, Paulina (June 28, 2018). "Arkansas lawmaker accused of filing no taxes for 15 years arrested". Fox News. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
5. ^ "Special General Election for State Senate District 16". Election Night Reporting. June 5, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
6. ^ "Special General Election for State Senate District 29". Election Night Reporting. June 5, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
7. ^ "Special General Election for State Representative District 83". Election Night Reporting. June 5, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
8. ^ Hardy, Benjamin (June 15, 2018). "Shepherd becomes House Speaker; defers ethics rule change questions". Arkansas Times. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
9. ^ Hughes, Dave (June 19, 2018). "Ex-state senator gets 18 months for fraud, calls himself 'broken and humble man'". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
10. ^ "Special General Election for State Senate District 8". Election Night Reporting. August 14, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
11. ^ Besson, Eric; Hammersly, Lisa (September 1, 2018). "Indicted on fraud charges, state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson resigns". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
12. ^ "Former Arkansas State Senator Jeremy Hutchinson Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Tax Fraud Charges in Multi-District Investigation". www.justice.gov (Press release). June 25, 2019.
13. ^ "Senate Officers". Little Rock: Arkansas Senate. 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
14. ^ "Legislator Search Results". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved September 9, 2018.

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Arkansas General Assemblies by year convened

* 1 Territorial (1819)
* Special Territorial (1820)
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