# Arkansas House of Representatives

The Arkansas State House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the US state of Arkansas. The House has 100 members elected from an equal number of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 30,137, according to the 2020 federal census. Members are elected to two-year terms and, since the 2014 Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, limited to sixteen years cumulative in either house.
The Arkansas House of Representatives meets annually, in regular session in odd number years and for a fiscal session in even number years, at the State Capitol in Little Rock.

## History

During the Reconstruction era that followed the American Civil War, the Federal government passed the Reconstruction Acts and African Americans were enfranchised with voting rights. African Americans were elected and served in the Arkansas House although the numbers eventually declined as the Democrats retook control and were able to restore white supremacy. By the start of the 20th century African Americans were largely barred from holding in the Arkansas House and across the southern states.
John Wilson, the first Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, stabbed Representative J. J. Anthony to death during a legislative debate on the floor of the chamber in 1837. Wilson was later acquitted. The Old State House is said to be haunted to this day.
In 1922, Frances Hunt became the first woman elected to a seat in the Arkansas General Assembly when she was elected to a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

## Leadership of the House

The Speaker of the House presides over the body and is elected by the membership every two years. Its duties include the supervision and directing the daily order of business, recognizing members to speak, preserving order in the House, deciding all questions of order and germaneness, certifying all measures passed, assigning committee leadership, and naming members to select committees. In the Speaker's absence, the Speaker Pro Tempore presides.

### Officers

| Office | Officer | Party | District |
| Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives | Brian S. Evans | Republican | 68 |
| Speaker Pro Tempore | Carlton Wing | Republican | 70 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 1st District | Dwight Tosh | Republican | 38 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 2nd District | Fred Allen | Democratic | 77 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 3rd District | Kendra Moore | Republican | 23 |
| Assistant Speaker pro tempore, 4th District | Les Warren | Republican | 84 |

### Floor Leaders

| Office | Officer | Party | District |
| Majority Leader | Howard M. Beaty Jr. | Republican | 95 |
| Majority Whip | Stetson Painter | Republican | 3 |
| Minority Leader | Andrew Collins | Democratic | 73 |
| Minority Whip | Denise Garner | Democratic | 20 |

## Current composition

| 81 | 19 |
| Republican | Democratic |
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | |
| Affiliation | Republican | Democratic | Ind | Green | Total | Vacant |
| End of the 90th General Assembly | 68 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Beginning of the 91st General Assembly | 76 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| End of the 91st General Assembly | 76 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Current | 81 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Latest voting share | 81% | 19% | | | | |

## Current membership

| District | Name | Party | Residence | First elected | Term-limited |
| 1 | Jeremy Wooldridge | Rep | Marmaduke | 2022 | 2034 |
| 2 | Trey Steimel | Rep | Pocahontas | 2022 | 2034 |
| 3 | Stetson Painter | Rep | Mountain Home | 2022 | 2034 |
| 4 | Jason Nazarenko | Rep | Cotter | 2024 | 2036 |
| 5 | Ron McNair | Rep | Harrison | 2014 | 2030 |
| 6 | Harlan Breaux | Rep | Holiday Island | 2018 | 2034 |
| 7 | Brit McKenzie | Rep | Rogers | 2022 | 2034 |
| 8 | Austin McCollum | Rep | Bentonville | 2016 | 2032 |
| 9 | Diana Gonzales Worthen | Dem | Springdale | 2024 | 2036 |
| 10 | Mindy McAlindon | Rep | Centerton | 2022 | 2034 |
| 11 | Rebecca Burkes | Rep | Lowell | 2022 | 2034 |
| 12 | Hope Hendren Duke | Rep | Gravette | 2022 | 2034 |
| 13 | Scott Richardson | Rep | Bentonville | 2022 | 2034 |
| 14 | Nick Burkes | Rep | Bentonville | 2024 | 2036 |
| 15 | John P. Carr | Rep | Rogers | 2020 | 2036 |
| 16 | Kendon Underwood | Rep | Cave Springs | 2020 | 2036 |
| 17 | Randy Torres | Rep | Siloam Springs | 2024 | 2036 |
| 18 | Robin Lundstrum | Rep | Elm Springs | 2014 | 2030 |
| 19 | Steve Unger | Rep | Springdale | 2022 | 2034 |
| 20 | Denise Garner | Dem | Fayetteville | 2018 | 2034 |
| 21 | Nicole Clowney | Dem | Fayetteville | 2018 | 2034 |
| 22 | David Whitaker | Dem | Fayetteville | 2012 | 2028 |
| 23 | Kendra Moore | Rep | Lincoln | 2022 | 2034 |
| 24 | Brad Hall | Rep | Van Buren | 2024 | 2036 |
| 25 | Chad Puryear | Rep | Hindsville | 2022 | 2034 |
| 26 | James Eaton | Rep | Huntsville | 2024 | 2036 |
| 27 | Steven Walker | Rep | Horseshoe Bend | 2022 | 2034 |
| 28 | Bart Schulz | Rep | Cave City | 2022 | 2034 |
| 29 | Rick McClure | Rep | Malvern | 2020 | 2036 |
| 30 | Frances Cavenaugh | Rep | Walnut Ridge | 2016 | 2032 |
| 31 | Jimmy Gazaway | Rep | Paragould | 2016 | 2032 |
| 32 | Jack Ladyman | Rep | Jonesboro | 2014 | 2030 |
| 33 | Jon Milligan | Rep | Lake City | 2020 | 2036 |
| 34 | Joey L. Carr | Rep | Blytheville | 2022 | 2034 |
| 35 | Jessie McGruder | Dem | Marion | 2024 | 2030 |
| 36 | Johnny Rye | Rep | Trumann | 2016 | 2032 |
| 37 | Steve Hollowell | Rep | Forrest City | 2016 | 2032 |
| 38 | Dwight Tosh | Rep | Jonesboro | 2014 | 2032 |
| 39 | Wayne Long | Rep | Bradford | 2022 | 2034 |
| 40 | Shad Pearce | Rep | Batesville | 2022 | 2034 |
| 41 | Alyssa Brown | Rep | Heber Springs | 2024 | 2036 |
| 42 | Stephen Meeks | Rep | Greenbrier | 2010 | 2026 |
| 43 | Rick Beck | Rep | Center Ridge | 2014 | 2030 |
| 44 | Stan Berry | Rep | Dover | 2018 | 2034 |
| 45 | Aaron Pilkington | Rep | Knoxville | 2016 | 2032 |
| 46 | Jon S. Eubanks | Rep | Subiaco | 2010 | 2026 |
| 47 | Lee Johnson | Rep | Greenwood | 2018 | 2034 |
| 48 | Ryan Rose | Rep | Van Buren | 2022 | 2034 |
| 49 | Jay Richardson | Dem | Fort Smith | 2018 | 2034 |
| 50 | Zachary Gramlich | Rep | Fort Smith | 2022 | 2034 |
| 51 | Cindy Crawford | Rep | Fort Smith | 2018 | 2034 |
| 52 | Marcus Richmond | Rep | Harvey | 2014 | 2030 |
| 53 | Matt Duffield | Rep | Russellville | 2022 | 2034 |
| 54 | Mary Bentley | Rep | Perryville | 2014 | 2030 |
| 55 | Matthew Brown | Rep | Conway | 2022 | 2034 |
| 56 | Steve Magie | Dem | Conway | 2012 | 2028 |
| 57 | Cameron Cooper | Rep | Romance | 2022 | 2034 |
| 58 | Les Eaves | Rep | Searcy | 2014 | 2030 |
| 59 | Jim Wooten | Rep | Beebe | 2018 (special) | 2034 |
| 60 | Roger Lynch | Rep | Lonoke | 2016 | 2032 |
| 61 | Jeremiah Moore | Rep | Clarendon | 2022 | 2034 |
| 62 | Mark McElroy | Rep | Tillar | 2012 | 2030 |
| 63 | Lincoln Barnett | Dem | Forrest City | 2024 | 2036 |
| 64 | Ken Ferguson | Dem | Pine Bluff | 2014 | 2030 |
| 65 | Glenn Barnes | Dem | Pine Bluff | 2024 | 2036 |
| 66 | Mark Perry | Dem | Jacksonville | 2008 | 2030 |
| 67 | Karilyn Brown | Rep | Sherwood | 2014 | 2030 |
| 68 | Brian S. Evans | Rep | Cabot | 2018 | 2034 |
| 69 | David Ray | Rep | Maumelle | 2020 | 2036 |
| 70 | Carlton Wing | Rep | North Little Rock | 2016 | 2032 |
| 71 | Brandon Achor | Rep | Maumelle | 2022 | 2034 |
| 72 | Tracy Steele | Dem | North Little Rock | 2024 | 2036 |
| 73 | Andrew Collins | Dem | Little Rock | 2018 | 2034 |
| 74 | Tippi McCullough | Dem | Little Rock | 2018 | 2034 |
| 75 | Ashley Hudson | Dem | Little Rock | 2020 | 2036 |
| 76 | Joy C. Springer | Dem | Little Rock | 2020 (special) | 2036 |
| 77 | Fred Allen | Dem | Little Rock | 2008 | 2026 |
| 78 | Keith Brooks | Rep | Little Rock | 2020 | 2036 |
| 79 | Tara Shephard | Dem | Little Rock | 2022 | 2034 |
| 80 | Denise Ennett | Dem | Little Rock | 2019 (special) | 2036 |
| 81 | R. J. Hawk | Rep | Bryant | 2022 | 2034 |
| 82 | Tony Furman | Rep | Benton | 2020 | 2036 |
| 83 | Paul Childress | Rep | Benton | 2024 | 2036 |
| 84 | Les Warren | Rep | Hot Springs | 2016 | 2032 |
| 85 | Richard McGrew | Rep | Hot Springs | 2019 (special) | 2036 |
| 86 | John Maddox | Rep | Mena | 2016 | 2032 |
| 87 | DeAnn Vaught | Rep | Horatio | 2014 | 2030 |
| 88 | Dolly Henley | Rep | Washington | 2024 | 2036 |
| 89 | Justin Gonzales | Rep | Okolona | 2014 | 2030 |
| 90 | Richard Womack | Rep | Arkadelphia | 2012 | 2028 |
| 91 | Bruce Cozart | Rep | Hot Springs | 2011 (special) | 2028 |
| 92 | Julie Mayberry | Rep | Hensley | 2014 | 2032 |
| 93 | Mike Holcomb | Rep | Pine Bluff | 2012 | 2028 |
| 94 | Jeff Wardlaw | Rep | Hermitage | 2010 | 2026 |
| 95 | Howard Beaty | Rep | Crossett | 2020 | 2036 |
| 96 | Sonia Eubanks Barker | Rep | Smackover | 2016 | 2032 |
| 97 | Matthew Shepherd | Rep | El Dorado | 2010 | 2026 |
| 98 | Wade Andrews | Rep | Camden | 2022 | 2034 |
| 99 | Lane Jean | Rep | Magnolia | 2010 | 2026 |
| 100 | Carol Dalby | Rep | Texarkana | 2016 | 2032 |

## Committees

The House has 10 Standing Committees:
CLASS A
* Education
* Judiciary
* Public Health, Welfare & Labor
* Public Transportation
* Revenue and Taxation
CLASS B
* Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs
* Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development
* City, County and Local Affairs
* Insurance and Commerce
* State Agencies and Governmental Affairs
HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEES
* Rules
* House Management
JOINT COMMITTEES
* Budget
* Energy
* Performance Review
* Public Retirement and Social Security Programs
* Advanced Communication and Information Technology
CURRENT COMMITTEES INCLUDE:
* Advanced Communications And Information Technology
* Aging, Children And Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs
** Veterans' Home Task Force
** House Leg., Military & Veterans Affairs
** House Children & Youth Subcom.
** House Aging Subcommittee
* Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development
** House Parks & Tourism Subcommittee
** House Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources Subcom.
* City, County & Local Affairs Committee
** House Planning Subcommittee
** House Local Government Personnel Subcommittee
** House Finance Subcommittee
* Education Committee
** House K-12, Vocational-Technical Institutions Subcommittee
** House Higher Education Subcommittee
** House Early Childhood Subcommittee
* House Management
* House Rules
* Insurance & Commerce
** House Utilities Subcommittee
** House Insurance Subcommittee
** House Financial Institutions Subcommittee
* Joint Performance Review
* Judiciary Committee
** House Juvenile Justice & Child Support Subcommittee
** House Courts & Civil Law Subcommittee
** House Corrections & Criminal Law Subcommittee
* Public Health, Welfare And Labor Committee
** House Labor & Environment Subcommittee
** House Human Services Subcommittee
** House Health Services Subcommittee
* Public Transportation
** House Waterways & Aeronautics Subcom.
** House And Rail Subcommittee
** House Motor Vehicle & Highways Subcom.
* Revenue & Taxation
** House Sales, Use, Misc. Taxes & Exemptions Subcom.
** House Income Taxes-Personal & Corporate Subcom.
** House Complaints And Remediation Subcom.
* State Agencies & Govt'L Affairs
** House State Agencies & Reorgan. Subcom
** House Elections Subcommittee
** House Constitutional Issues Subcommittee
Each Representative serves on two Standing Committees, and each committee has 20 members. Standing Committee chairmen and vice-chairmen are selected from respective committee rosters by the Speaker.
Two Select Committees operate exclusively within the House. Members of the committees are appointed by the Speaker. The House Select Committees are the House Committee on Rules and the House Management Committee.
The Committee on Rules considers all proposed action touching the House rules, the joint rules and the order of business. The Committee also considers all legislation dealing with alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco products, coin-operated amusement devices, vending machines, lobbying, code of ethics, pari-mutuel betting and similar legislation.
The House Management Committee works with the Speaker of the House to direct and oversee operations of the House of Representatives. Its duties include the hiring and supervision of the House Staff, the development of personnel policies and procedures, and the monitoring of facility usage and maintenance.
Representatives also serve on five committees that operate jointly with the Senate. They are Joint Budget, Joint Retirement and Social Security Programs, Joint Energy, Joint Performance Review and Joint Committee on Advanced, Communications and Information Technology
House members of the Joint Budget Committee are chosen by their peers from respective caucus districts. House members on other Joint Committees are appointed to their positions by the Speaker.