House passes general appropriation bill (House Bill 1,002) with emergency clause

The Arkansas House passed House Bill 1,002, the chamber’s general appropriation bill, approving the measure and its emergency clause by a recorded vote of 93 yeas, 0 nays and 1 present. The clerk read the bill for the third time before the vote.

Representative Johnson, who was recognized to explain the measure, said, “This is our general appropriation bill. We are constitutionally obliged to pass this bill before taking up any other appropriation bills,” and invited questions about its provisions. The transcript does not specify line-item allocations or total dollar amounts.

Members were reminded that the vote covered both the bill and the emergency clause. After the roll was completed the clerk reported the tally and the chair declared the bill passed.

With the bill adopted, members announced scheduling for committee meetings and the House adjourned until 1 p.m. Tuesday. The transcript records no further debate on the substance of allocations during this session.