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
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
Corruption and scandals
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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Vacancies
- 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
Leadership
Officers
| Office | Officer | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Office | Officer | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| District | Name[14] | Party | Residence | First elected | Seat up | Term-limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Leadership
Officers
Floor Leaders
Representatives
| District | Name | Party | First elected | Term-limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
References
- ^ Information Systems Department (September 16, 2018). "91st General Assembly - Regular Session 2017". Little Rock: Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Dedaj, Paulina (June 28, 2018). "Arkansas lawmaker accused of filing no taxes for 15 years arrested". Fox News. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ "Special General Election for State Senate District 16". Election Night Reporting. June 5, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ "Special General Election for State Senate District 29". Election Night Reporting. June 5, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ "Special General Election for State Representative District 83". Election Night Reporting. June 5, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ Hardy, Benjamin (June 15, 2018). "Shepherd becomes House Speaker; defers ethics rule change questions". Arkansas Times. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Special General Election for State Senate District 8". Election Night Reporting. August 14, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ Besson, Eric; Hammersly, Lisa (September 1, 2018). "Indicted on fraud charges, state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson resigns". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Senate Officers". Little Rock: Arkansas Senate. 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ "Legislator Search Results". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
