Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 7 - ELECTIONS (§§ 7-1-101 — 7-11-303) › Chapter 9 - INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (§§ 7-9-101 — 7-9-704) › Subchapter 7 - CONVENTION CALLED UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION (§§ 7-9-701 — 7-9-704) › Section 7-9-702 - Delegates to an Article V Convention

(a)
The State of Arkansas shall appoint seven (7) delegates to an Article V Convention as follows:
(1)
Two (2) members of the Senate appointed by a majority vote of the Senate who are serving at the time of the appointment;
(2)
Three (3) members of the House of Representatives appointed by a majority vote of the House of Representatives who are serving at the time of the appointment; and
(3)
Two (2) citizens of the State of Arkansas, selected by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives from a list of recommendations made by the Convention of States Arkansas.
(b)
The State of Arkansas shall appoint three (3) alternate delegates to an Article V Convention as follows:
(1)
One (1) member of the Senate appointed by a majority vote of the Senate who is serving at the time of the appointment;
(2)
One (1) member of the House of Representatives appointed by a majority vote of the House of Representatives who is serving at the time of the appointment; and
(3)
One (1) citizen of the State of Arkansas, selected by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives from a list of recommendations made by the Convention of States Arkansas.
(c)
The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall certify the selection of the delegate and alternate delegate by written proclamation and provide a copy of the written proclamation to the:
(1)
Delegate;
(2)
Alternate delegate;
(3)
Secretary of State; and
(4)
Article V Convention.
(d)
A person shall not serve as a delegate or an alternate delegate without the written proclamation in his or her name under subsection (c) of this section.
(e)
An alternate delegate shall:
(1)
Act in place of a delegate when he or she is absent from the Article V Convention; and
(2)
Replace a delegate if a delegate vacates the office.
(f)
A delegate may only be replaced by the entity that selected the delegate initially.
(g)
In the event an alternate delegate permanently fills the vacancy of a delegate, a new alternate delegate shall be selected by the body which chose the original alternate delegate.
(h)
Alternate delegates:
(1)
May participate in caucus meetings of the Arkansas delegation to review and discuss proposed amendments;
(2)
May attend convention and committee meetings as observers;
(3)
Shall not speak publicly on the record in any meetings while still in alternate status; and
(4)
Shall not vote to determine the Arkansas vote on a proposed amendment while they are in alternate status.
(i)
(1)
Delegates and alternate delegates are entitled to receive the same mileage, travel, and per diem expenses as those paid to members of the General Assembly.
(2)
All necessary expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated by the General Assembly.
(3)
Delegates and alternate delegates are not eligible for a salary for the performance of these duties.
Added by Act 2023, No. 835,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.