AAC
Preparing the AAC legislative package
T
he nine associations under the AAC’s umbrella — the County Judges’ Association of Arkansas; the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association; Arkansas Assessors’ Association; Arkansas Association of Quorum Courts; Arkansas Circuit Clerks’ Association; Arkansas Collectors’ Association; Arkansas Treasurers’ Association; Arkansas County Clerks’ Association; and the Arkansas Coroners’ Association — go through a rigorous process to develop their legislative packages, which if approved by the AAC Legislative Committee and AAC Board of Directors will become part of the AAC’s legislative package. Soon after a Legislative Session ends, county and district officials, along with their AAC policy team liaison, begin discussing within their respective associations issues they believe should be addressed COUNTY LINES, FALL 2018
during the next Legislative Session. The Arkansas General Assembly convenes their regular sessions every two years. In the interim, members of the nine associations representing county and district elected officials hold intense discussions about the issues they would like the Legislature to address. Each group has a legislative committee, and any proposed legislation must be approved by the legislative committee and then the entire body. Once those proposals are finalized, they are presented to the AAC Legislative Committ for review and approval or disapproval. Then the AAC Board of Directors reviews and approves or disapproves the proposals. The process allows each association to hear the other associations’ packages and note items that could adversely impact their offices. The AAC presents about 30 proposed bills to the Legislature.
COVER STORY
Above left: Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President Debbie Wise and Craighead County Treasurer and AAC Legislative Committee Chairman Terry McNatt discuss a proposed bill during the Legislative Summit in October. Above right: Saline County Clerk Doug Curtis presents the Arkansas Association of County Clerks’ proposed legislation. Bottom left: Pulaski County Coroner and AAC Board Member Gerone Hobbs and Saline County Coroner and AAC Board Member Kevin Cleghorn participate in the summit discussion. Bottom right: Polk County Judge and AAC Board Vice-President Brandon Ellison explains the contents of the County Judges’ Association of Arkansas package. Pictured next to him are Madison County Judge and CJAA President Frank Weaver (left) and Faulkner County Treasurer Scott Sanson (right). 33
