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 declaration or by calling 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 states that appointments made under this section are not subject to veto by the mayor.

The bill also makes several deletions from existing law, including the requirement for a majority vote of the remaining members of the governing body to fill a vacancy and the stipulation that a member of the governing body cannot vote on their own appointment. It further clarifies that vacancies in the office of mayor or council members must be filled according to the new procedures outlined in 14-42-103, ensuring consistency across different municipal offices. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the process for filling vacancies and enhance governance in Arkansas municipalities.

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)