Bill on U. S. Senate fill- in clears House

The House of Representatives on Monday voted 87- 4 for legislation to strike a nearly 60- year- old law requiring the governor to call a special election to replace U. S. senators if a general election does not occur within 12 months of the vacancy.

The provision conflicts with Amendment 29 to the Arkansas Constitution, said House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R- Judsonia, who is sponsoring House Bill 1279.

Amendment 29 states that vacated U. S. Senate seats should be permanently filled in general elections, with the governor choosing a temporary appointee to serve between the opening of the vacancy and the election.

Under current law, the appointee would be able to serve a maximum of one year because of the special election provision.

Under HB1279, an appointed senator could serve a maximum of two years and four months. The bill’s language mirrors Amendment 29.

The bill came about because of “some of the conversations that were around Sen. [ Tom] Cotton and others as far as the new administration,” said Gillam, referring to President Donald Trump’s administration. Cotton, a Republican from Dardanelle, was rumored to be considered for a post in the Trump administration.

— Brian Fanney