AR HB1692

Establishes that qualified voters in first-class mayor-council cities with populations under 10,000 shall elect a city attorney for four-year terms, beginning November 2022 and every four years thereafter, unless the office is established by ordinance to be appointed instead.

Requires incumbent city attorneys to remain in office until their successors are elected and qualified.

Allows city council to appoint a resident attorney to fill the office for the remainder of an unfilled term if no attorney residing in the city is elected as city attorney.

Permits city council to contract with any licensed Arkansas attorney or law firm to serve as legal advisor, counselor, or prosecutor upon a two-thirds vote if no attorney serves as city attorney by election or appointment or no attorney resides within city boundaries.

Requires ordinances to prescribe the duties of any contracted attorney.