In This Issue


Features Hempstead County Judge serves for more than 50 years...........26


Remembering stalwart of county government...........................30


Inside Look Four new members named to AAC board of directors............. ...8


Board presents retiring member Diamond Service Award..........9 Longtime Johnson County justice of the peace retires..............11 Two seats arise in post-war Carroll County...................................32 WWI committee urging counties to plant trees...........................35 Arkansas County debuts new annex.............................................36 Assessors go to Capitol, have photo opp with governor................37 County clerks, treasurers visit state Capitol....................................38 Legislation, more on judges ’ winter agenda.................................39 Sheriffs hear from legislators during meeting............................41


Cover Notes: A Bill Becomes A Law


WINTER 2017


Newly elected officials train over two-week period....................42 Collectors honor retiring member.................................................44 AAC staff profiles: Amie Alexander...............................................48


Departments From the Director’s Desk...................................................................7


President’s Perspective......................................................................9 From the Governor.............................................................................11 Attorney General Opinions ............................................................. 12 Research Corner................................................................................14 Legal Corner.......................................................................................18 County Law Update...........................................................................20 From NACo.........................................................................................21 Savings Times 2................................................................................22 Seems to Me......................................................................................24 NACo News Updates.........................................................................49


(Photos by Christy L. Smith)


n March 1, 2017, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law two bills from the AAC legislative package. HB1224, now Act 158 of 2017 and sponsored by Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, prevents a person from run- ning for election for more than one state, county, municipal, district or township office if the elections are to be held on the same date. HB1260, now Act 276 of 2017 and sponsored by Rep. John Maddox, allows circuit clerks to request reimbursement from the Administra- tive Office of Courts for a one time prospective juror orientation. The governor also signed an Electronic Recording Commission bill into law on March 1. HB1146, now Act 140 of 2017 and sponsored by Rep. Jim Dotson, allows circuit clerks to enter into agreements with private entities to receive, review, scan and transmit documents for electronic recording. As of March 1, about half of the bills in AAC’s legislative package had been signed into law.


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Top left: Rep. Jeff Wardlaw watches as Gov. Asa Hutchinson shakes AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey Bailey’s hand and gives her a pen he used to sign HB1224 into law. Top right: The governor, surrounded by circuit clerks and Rep. John Maddox, signs into law HB1260. Bottom right: Rep. Jim Dotson and members of the Electronic Recording Commission pose for a photo.


COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2017 5


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