By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — A House committee began considering proposed amendments to the state constitution Wednesday, though no votes were taken on the proposals.

Among the measures discussed in the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs was House Joint Resolution 1003 by Rep. Bruce Maloch, D-Magnolia, which would remove the constitutional limit on interest rates on bonds issued by and loans made by or to governmental units.

Maloch said in the current economic climate, with credit hard to come by, city and county governments and the Arkansas Student Loan Authority are hampered by the constitutional limits on interest rates.

“I think this is critical to our cities and counties, our governmental entities, to be able to operate,” Maloch said.

The committee also heard a presentation from Rep. Eddie Cheatham, D-Crossett, on HJR 1004, which would match Maloch’s bill but also would apply to consumer loans.

Cheatham said he has been involved in discussions on merging his resolution with Maloch’s, but the banking industry has concerns about his measure. He said he planned to address those concerns later.

Rep. Dan Greenberg, R-Little Rock, spoke on HJR 1001, which would create a commission to determine voting districts according to a set of guidelines that would not take politics into account.

“If this were to pass and become a constitutional amendment, this would lead to a more competitive and more representative and better, more vibrant political system,” Greenberg said.

Rep. Gene Shelby, D-Hot Springs, discussed HJR 1006, which would increase the terms of county officials from two to four years and establish a recall procedure for elected county officials. The bill would not apply to justices of the peace.

County officials such as sheriffs “are really spending most of their time getting ready for the next campaign,” Shelby said.

Greenberg noted that House members’ terms are only two years. Shelby said his resolution is aimed at people whose offices are more administrative than representational in nature, which is why he excluded justices of the peace.

Rep. Richard Carroll, G-North Little Rock, spoke on HJR 1009, which would repeal the constitutional ban on atheists holding public office or testifying in court.

“It’s basically unconstitutional, and we don’t need to have it in our constitution,” he said.

The Legislature can refer up to three proposed constitutional amendments to the 2010 general election ballot.