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 called for the next available election date. The bill also specifies that if a vacancy is filled by appointment, the governing body may appoint any qualified elector, including its own members, but those members cannot vote on their own appointment. Additionally, the bill states that for municipalities with a mayor, such appointments are not subject to mayoral veto.

Several existing provisions are deleted to streamline the process, including specific voting requirements and procedures for filling vacancies in various municipal offices. The bill consolidates these procedures under the new uniform guidelines, ensuring consistency across different municipalities. It also clarifies that the governing body must follow the new procedures for filling vacancies in the offices of mayor, council members, and other elected positions, thereby eliminating previous variations in the law.

Statutes affected:
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)