TO AMEND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ARKANSAS FAIR HOUSING COMMISSION.

Arkansas fair housing commission shrinks to seven

The law reduces the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission from 13 members to seven, all with voting rights. The Governor appoints five members, subject to Senate approval. Those five must have knowledge or experience in real estate, homebuilding, mortgage lending, banking, or related fields. The Senate President Pro Tempore and House Speaker each appoint one member with demonstrated involvement or interest in fair housing. Appointing officials must try to reflect Arkansas's geographic diversity, replacing the old district-based appointment rules. Members serve four-year terms, or until a replacement is appointed and qualified. The law removes the two-term limit and the requirement for staggered initial terms. Vacancies are filled for the remaining term by the same appointing authority, using the same appointment process. The commission elects its chair and meets at least quarterly. Members may receive expense reimbursements and stipends under state law. Current members keep serving and exercising commission powers until their terms expire; the new membership rules phase in as terms end. If all current terms expired by the law's effective date, officials must appoint members under the new rules. These changes do not directly change household housing benefits, costs, or eligibility.