THIRD FLOOR BE POLITE, BRIEF, AND TO THE POINT 2018 SECOND EDITION Senate Keys for Communicating Suite 320 Determined Constituent Legislators are very busy during session. If GUIDE TO THE ARKANSAS STATE CAPITOL 501-682-2902 (In-Session) the one with whom you want to speak isn’t 501-682-6107 (Out-of-Session) free, don’t worry; just be patient, and don’t get The 91st General Assembly begins the 2018 discouraged. Here are a few tips: Fiscal Session on February 12. The session The is located at the south will likely run through early March. During end of the third floor. The Senate Gallery, • Let the legislator(s) know you’re coming session, the Arkansas House of Representatives available to the public, is located on the with a phone call or email (or both!) in generally meets Monday through Friday. The fourth floor. Guides are stationed outside the advance. Include your name, phone number, Arkansas Senate generally meets Monday Senate chamber during session. and the reason you’re coming. through Thursday. • Be aware of the times committees and the While Senators are often in the Senate chamber, The Capitol is located at 500 Woodlane House and Senate meet. It can be tougher to their o ces are scattered throughout the Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. It’s less than a speak with a legislator during these times, but south end of the Capitol. three-hour drive for most all Arkansans. The you might catch legislators on their way in or Capitol is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM If you’d like to speak with a legislator, ask a out of a meeting. These times are also great weekdays. Parking and other information is guide to send a note into the chamber. If the opportunities to watch legislators in action. senator is inside and is free to speak, he or she available at sos.arkansas.gov. should step outside to visit with you. • Above all, be polite, be brief, and get to your point. Legislators are more likely to listen, and Finding Your Way Around The Senate generally convenes at 1:30 PM each they’ll appreciate your concern for their time. afternoon unless otherwise specified. A live All visitors must go through security. Elevators • If you’re concerned about a specific bill, audio stream is available on the Senate website. are found on the east side of each floor. Public know the bill number (ex. HB1001, SB1). If Note: The Senate seldom meets on Friday. Wi-Fi is available throughout most of the possible, have a copy of the bill with you. Capitol. (Look for “Capitol Public Access”). Learn more at arkansas.gov/senate. • Leave them with something. A card, a note, • Basement: Capitol Café, restrooms SENATE FAST FACTS a one-page brief about your position. Include • 35 Members: 26 Republicans, 9 Democrats your contact information. • First Floor: ATM, Capitol Police, and press • President Pro Tem: (R-Searcy) o ces (east lobby), gift shop and post o ce • Majority Leader: (R-Gravette) • Follow up. Call, send a note, or email. (rotunda), restrooms, House and Senate • Majority Whip: Jimmy Hickey, Jr. (R-Texarkana) Restate your name and concern, and thank the committee rooms, Commissioner of State Lands • Minority Leader: (D-West Memphis) legislator for his or her time. Make sure • Minority Whip: Will Bond (D-Little Rock) legislators know you’ll continue to follow their • Second Floor: Senate committee rooms, actions on the issue. Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, Lieutenant CONTACT GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON Governor, Secretary of State The Governor’s o ce is found on the north end of the • Stay in frequent, regular contact. If second floor. You can also call his o ce at 501-682-2345, legislators vote with you, thank them. If they • Third Floor: House and Senate chambers, tweet at him (@AsaHutchinson), or use the contact form don’t, politely express your disappointment. Senate committee room, snack stand (east side) found at governor.arkansas.gov. Always be polite. • Always be polite and show respect. • Fourth Floor: House and Senate galleries

Are you on Twitter? Use the #ARleg and #ARpx tags. Handwritten notes are a great way to communicate. Find a schedule and more at www.arkleg.state.ar.us. THIRD FLOOR FIRST FLOOR AND “BIG MAC” B FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD FLOORS Arkansas House House Standing Committees Senate Standing Committees Suite 350 The House has 10 standing committees split Senate standing committees dier from the 501-682-6211 (In-Session) into five “A” and five “B” committees. Unless House. In addition to four “A” and four “B” 501-682-7771 (Out-of-Session) otherwise specified, “A” committees meet at committees, there’s one “C” committee. 10:00 AM Tuesday and Thursday, while “B” Unless otherwise specified, “A” committees The Arkansas House of Representatives is committees meet at 10:00 AM Wednesday and meet at 10:00 AM Wednesday and Friday. “B” located on the north end of the third floor. Friday. Note that committees can meet at other committees meet at 10:00 AM Tuesday and The House Gallery, available to the public, is times, particularly near the end of session. Thursday, while the “C” committee meets at located on the fourth floor. Visitors must sign noon Monday. Committees can (and often If you wish to speak at a committee hearing, in to see sta. During session, look for a “Red do) meet at other times, particularly near the Coat” guide if you need help. you must sign in. Ask sta for guidance. end of session. Note: The Senate seldom While House members are often in the House Eight House committees meet on the north meets on Friday during session. chamber, their individual o ces are scattered end of the first floor of the Capitol. Two If you wish to speak at a committee hearing, throughout the Capitol. committees meet in Room B on the fifth floor you must sign in. Ask sta for guidance. of the Multi-Agency Complex located If you’d like to speak with a legislator, ask a immediately to the west of the Capitol. The All Senate committees meet on the south end Red Coat to send a note into the chamber. If building is referred to as “Big MAC”. The of the Capitol. Two committees meet in the the legislator is inside and is free to speak, he House live-streams its committee meetings on Old Supreme Court room (OSC) on the or she should step outside to visit with you. the House website. second floor. The House generally convenes at 1:30 PM each HOUSE STANDING “A” COMMITTEES SENATE STANDING “A” COMMITTEES afternoon unless otherwise specified. A live Education Rm 138 Education Rm 207 video stream is available on the House website. Judiciary Rm 149 Judiciary Rm 171 Learn more at arkansashouse.org. Revenue and Taxation Rm 151 Revenue and Tax OSC Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Rm 130 Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Rm 272 HOUSE FAST FACTS Public Transportation “Big MAC” B • 100 Members: 76 Republicans, 24 Democrats SENATE STANDING “B” COMMITTEES • Speaker: Jeremy Gillam (R-Judsonia) Agriculture, Forestry, and • Speaker Pro-Tempore: Jon Eubanks (R-Paris) HOUSE STANDING “B” COMMITTEES • Majority Leader: Mathew Pitsch (R-Fort Smith) Aging, Children and Youth, Economic Development Rm 309 • Majority Whip: John Payton (R-Wilburn) Legislative, and Military Aairs Rm 130 City, County, and Local Aairs Rm 272 • Minority Leader: David Whitaker (D-Fayetteville) Insurance and Commerce Rm 171 • Minority Whip: Charles Blake (D-Little Rock) Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Rm 138 State Agencies and Governmental Aairs OSC SEND A MESSAGE TO MEMBERS City, County, and Local Aairs “Big MAC” B Call the in-session phone numbers for the chambers to Insurance and Commerce Rm 149 SENATE STANDING “C” COMMITTEES leave a message for a legislator, and a note is left on his or State Agencies and Transportation, Technology, and her desk. A stack of them can send a real message. Governmental Aairs Rm 151 Legislative Aairs Rm 309

Are your state rep and senator on Twitter? Always check the schedule before traveling! Find a schedule and more at www.arkleg.state.ar.us.