Recall law could be expanded under new bill

LITTLE ROCK — A resolution that was filed this week in the Arkansas legislature would seek to add over two dozen state and county offices to the state's recall statute, with the sponsor saying she has worked on the bill for several years. Rep. Fran Cavenaugh (R-Walnut Ridge) filed HJR 1007 late Wednesday. The resolution would seek to create an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution on the issue.

The resolution was referred late Thursday to the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee for review. Traditionally, the legislature refers a maximum of three proposed amendments one from the House, one from the Senate and a joint resolution, sponsored by House and Senate members – to voters during even-numbered election years. If approved by the legislature, the proposal would be on the 2026 general election ballot.

The bill would seek to add the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, land commissioner, state representative, state senator, Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, Chief Judge of the Arkansas Court of Appeals, judge of the Arkansas Court of Appeals, circuit judge, district judge, prosecuting attorney, county judge, justice of the peace,

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sheriff, circuit clerk, county clerk, assessor, coroner, treasurer, county surveyor, tax collector and constable to the list of offices that can face a recall from voters.

Right now, state law only allows for mayors to face a recall election from voters. Rep. Cavenaugh said she has sponsored a bill at least three times on the issue and believes it is something that must be done.

'It's a principle to me,' Rep.

Cavenaugh said.

Under the bill, voters can file a recall petition with signatures of at least 25 percent of the votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial election. Also, for statewide petitions, at least 10 percent of the statewide signatures must be from at least 50 different counties in the state.

The bill would also set the process for calling for the recall election. To see the bill, go online at:

https://tinyurl.com/376h87ux. ***

Senate passes civil action on sex abuse victims bill

LITTLE ROCK — On Thursday, the state Senate voted 33-0 to approve a bill that would allow for civil actions to be brought by certain victims of sexual abuse and to allow a claim to be brought for injury caused by child sexual abuse at any time under certain circumstances.

The bill, SB13, sponsored by Sen. Dave Wallace (RLeachville) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-Paragould), would create temporary language in state law on the issue.

Under the bill, a claim for injury caused by child sexual abuse may be commenced or maintained by or on behalf of an injured individual at any time if:

• the injured individual was under 18 years of age at the time the right to bring a claim for injury accrued;

• the injury on which the claim is based arises from the violation of a criminal sex offense that existed at the time the injury occurred, regardless of whether a criminal complaint was filed, a criminal conviction was obtained or a plea of guilty or nolo contendre was entered;

• a civil action based on the conduct that is the subject of the claim for injury is barred by the expiration of the statute of limitations prescribed in Arkansas Code 16-56-116;

• the claim for injury is the basis for making or maintaining a timely claim in a bankruptcy proceeding that was initiated by a congressional chartered organization on February 18, 2020; and

• the claim for injury is against an entity that is seeking or has been providing protection under a plan of reorganization in the bankruptcy proceeding described in subdivision (a) (4) of this section and not against any other person or entity.

The bill is now headed to the Arkansas House.