The Arkansas legislature’s 2020 fiscal session is set to begin at noon on Wednesday.The House of Representative’s website notes the COVID-19 crisis will have an impact on the proposed budget, as well as the meeting schedules. The legislature is set to convene after three members of the House have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The House will convene at the Jack T. Stephens Center at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. The same venue was utilized for the recent special session, as it provides enough space for the recommended social distancing guidelines.
The Associated Press reports the Senate will continue meeting at the Capitol, but will limit the number of members on the floor. Both chambers are allowing members to vote remotely.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he would deliver a State of the State address on the first day of the session from the Senate that will be broadcast to House members in the Stephens Center. Traditionally, governors deliver the State of the State address from the House chamber.
The Department of Finance and Administration released a revised revenue forecast on Thursday. The revision was necessary because of the predicted economic recession as a result of business slowdown and negative labor markets.
The forecast now reflects $5.6 billion in net available revenue for FY 2021. This reflects a decrease of $205.9 million from the prior forecast released in January.
For precautionary measures due to COVID-19, the General Assembly is not expected to meet for as long as in previous fiscal sessions.
By law, fiscal sessions cannot extend longer than 30 days without a three-quarters vote from both chambers. The longest it can be extended is 15 days.
During fiscal sessions, the legislature can only address the budget and appropriation bills. In order for non-appropriation legislation to be introduced, a resolution substantially describing the bill must first be approved by a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
Arkansas PBS will stream the House meetings. Links for those live-streams, as well as the Senate meetings and joint budget committee meetings, can be found on the House website www.arkansashouse.org.
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