To Separate The Offices Of Sheriff And Tax Collector In Montgomery County.
Summary
HB1196 is a local act affecting Montgomery County, Arkansas. It requires the offices of sheriff and tax collector to be separate beginning January 1, 2027. Under the bill, Montgomery County voters at the 2026 general election will elect both a sheriff and a tax collector, and the officials elected will assume office on January 1, 2027.
The bill also provides that each officeholder must give bond for the faithful performance of duties, and that compensation, deputies, and other allowances will be set by the Montgomery County Quorum Court within state-prescribed minimum and maximum ranges. In practical terms, the measure changes county government structure by ending the combined sheriff-tax collector arrangement in Montgomery County and creating two distinct elected offices.
Impact
HB1196 amends local governance for Montgomery County by separating two county offices that may otherwise be combined under Arkansas law. It affects the election process, office structure, bonding requirements, and compensation-setting authority for the sheriff and tax collector positions, while leaving those offices subject to general state law and quorum court control over pay and staffing within statutory limits.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the House 94-0 and the Senate 29-0, with no committee transcript indicating opposition or significant debate. The unanimous votes suggest consensus around the county-specific reorganization.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record. The main policy choice is whether Montgomery County should continue to combine the sheriff and tax collector functions or separate them into two offices, but the unanimous votes indicate no recorded disagreement among legislators. Any practical questions would likely center on local administrative transition, election logistics, and compensation, rather than broader statewide policy disputes.