Arkansas House Bill HB1637

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/25
• Refer: 3/3/25
• Report Pass: 3/12/25
• Engrossed: 3/18/25
• Refer: 3/18/25
• Report Pass: 3/20/25
• Enrolled: 4/1/25
• Chaptered: 4/3/25
• Passed: 4/3/25

Caption

Concerning The Development And Presentation Of Fiscal Impact Statements Concerning The Fiscal Impact Of Statewide Initiative And Referendum Measures And Legislatively Referred Constitutional Amendments.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1637 would significantly enhance the accountability of proposed initiatives by requiring that voters be informed about the financial implications of measures they are voting on. By mandating that fiscal impact statements be included on ballots, the bill aims to reduce potential misconceptions and misinformation about the financial effects of legislation, thereby promoting transparency in the electoral process. This initiative represents a step towards better governance and financial responsibility in public policy.

Summary

House Bill 1637 aims to establish a standardized process for developing and presenting fiscal impact statements for statewide initiative and referendum measures, as well as for legislatively referred constitutional amendments in Arkansas. The bill amends existing codes to ensure that any proposed measure that has financial implications must be assessed by the Department of Finance and Administration within a set timeframe. This new requirement is designed to provide voters with clear and concise financial information prior to elections, allowing for better-informed decisions.

Contention

While supporters argue that the bill fosters transparency and informed voting, it may also face challenges from those who believe that the fiscal impact evaluations could complicate the legislative process or potentially be biased based on interpretations of financial data. Concerns may arise regarding the effectiveness of the fiscal impact statements and whether they truly represent realistic assessments of proposed measures. There is potential for debate over the modalities of how these statements are created and the resources allocated to them, especially during high-stakes elections.