The bill aims to establish uniform procedures for filling vacancies in municipal offices across Arkansas. It amends various sections of the Arkansas Code, particularly 14-42-103, to clarify that vacancies in municipal offices, regardless of the municipality's classification or form of government, shall be filled either by a majority vote of the governing body at the first council meeting after the vacancy is declared or through a special election. The bill specifies that in municipalities with a population of 50,000 or more, a member of the governing body cannot be appointed to fill a vacancy. Additionally, it outlines that appointments made under these provisions are not subject to mayoral veto.

The bill also makes several deletions from existing law, including the requirement for a majority vote of the entire governing body to fill a vacancy and the stipulation that the governing body may appoint any qualified elector, including members of the governing body, to fill the vacancy. It further clarifies that if a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor or council member, the vacancy must be filled according to the new procedures established in 14-42-103, ensuring consistency across different municipal offices.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1555 V2 - 3-31-2025 02:29 PM: 14-42-103, 14-43-501(a), 14-43-411(a), 03-31-2025, 7-11-101, 14-43-304(d), 14-43-310, 14-43-401(b), 14-43-411, 14-43-412, 14-44-103(b), 14-44-104, 14-44-106, 14-45-103, 14-45-109, 14-47-113, 14-47-117(b), 14-48-112(b)
Old version HB1555 V3 - 4-9-2025 06:26 PM: 14-42-103, 14-43-501(a), 14-43-411(a), 04-09-2025, 7-11-101, 14-43-304(d), 14-43-310, 14-43-401(b), 14-43-411, 14-43-412, 14-44-103(b), 14-44-104, 14-44-106, 14-45-103, 14-45-109, 14-47-113, 14-47-117(b), 14-48-112(b)
Old version HB1555 Original - 2-24-2025 11:43 AM: 14-42-103, 14-43-501(a), 14-43-411(a), 7-11-101, 14-43-304(d), 14-43-310, 14-43-401(b), 14-43-411, 14-43-412, 14-44-103(b), 14-44-104, 14-44-106, 14-45-103, 14-45-109, 14-47-113, 14-47-117(b), 14-48-112(b)
HB 1555: 14-42-103, 14-43-501(a), 14-43-411(a), 7-11-101, 14-43-304(d), 14-43-310, 14-43-401(b), 14-43-411, 14-43-412, 14-44-103(b), 14-44-104, 14-44-106, 14-45-103, 14-45-109, 14-47-113, 14-47-117(b), 14-48-112(b)
Act 995: 14-42-103, 14-43-501(a), 14-43-411(a), 04-09-2025, 7-11-101, 14-43-304(d), 14-43-310, 14-43-401(b), 14-43-411, 14-43-412, 14-44-103(b), 14-44-104, 14-44-106, 14-45-103, 14-45-109, 14-47-113, 14-47-117(b), 14-48-112(b)