House committee defeats repeal of criminal eviction statute
House committee defeats repeal of criminal eviction statute
TESTIFYING: Rep. Nicole Clowney (left) and Lynn Foster.
Rep. Nicole Clowney (D-Fayetteville) failed Monday in her attempt to get approval for HB 1798 to end Arkansas’s status as the only state in the country to make a crime of failure to pay rent.
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Clowney emphasized that the bill wouldn’t affect the civil eviction process, which allows the removal of non-paying renters. Landlords spoke against the bill, supported by landlord/legislators.
The bill failed on a roll call vote. I couldn’t make it all the votes, but 11 votes were needed for passage. I heard at least 8 for and