The session is over

In general we were not really attacked, nor did we push any new legislation. Our lobbyist did an excellent job for us. There are a few bills that affected us, but there are two that affect us more directly than others: First, HB1991. This bill changes the definition of who has to be licensed to act as a contractor. There was concern that a landlord hiring work for their own property would have to pass the tests and pay licensing fees. Our lobbyist spoke with the sponsor of the bill, and that was not his intent. If you are a landlord hiring work for property you own, you do not have to be a contractor. Second, HB2171. This bill was added at the last minute by Representative Word from Pine Bluff. This bill creates a commission to review and compare Arkansas Landlord-Tenant law with other states and to report on suggestions by December 31, 2012. The commission will have the following appointees:

• Appointee by Governor Beebe


• Appointee by Speaker of the House Robert Moore


• Appointee by President Pro Tempore of the Senate Paul Bookout


• Appointee by the Dean of the U of A Law School


• Appointee by the Dean of the UALR Law School


• Appointee of the Arkansas Realtors’ Association


• Appointee of the Landlords’ Association of Arkansas


• Appointee of the Arkansas Bankers’ Association


• Appointee of the Arkansas Bar Association


• Appointee of the Affordable Housing Association of Arkansas

These appointees will review the Arkansas law and compare to other states. Our law is not perfect, but it is good towards landlords. There is no schedule yet on the starting of this commission. As the commission continues, I’ll post more.