AR HB1822

Requires the Office of the Attorney General to prepare constitutional issue assessments for bills and proposed constitutional amendments upon request by either the bill sponsor or a committee member.

Assessment must include an analysis of potential legal issues under the Arkansas Constitution or United States Constitution, and an estimate of defense costs in the event of a legal challenge.

Assessments must be prepared and delivered within five days of request to the sponsor or committee chair, and committees cannot take action on bills until the assessment is delivered if requested by a committee member.

If a bill with a completed assessment is subsequently amended, a revised constitutional issue assessment must be prepared.

A two-thirds majority vote of the assigned committee may waive the assessment requirement if immediate consideration of the bill is necessary.