TO RESCIND THE ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY ARKANSAS GIRLS STATE FOR ITS ANNUAL MEETING.
Summary
House Resolution 1052 would rescind the previously granted authorization for Arkansas Girls State to use the Arkansas House chamber for its 2026 annual meeting. It also would bar the program from using bill-drafting services from the Bureau of Legislative Research during that meeting. The resolution is framed as a response to the exclusion of certain qualified young women who were selected by their schools but were unable to participate because of missed application deadlines by adults involved in the process.
The resolution includes a conditional path for restoring the prior authorization: if the Speaker of the House determines that the American Legion Auxiliary has allowed the affected young women to participate in the 2026 Girls State meeting, the rescission would be lifted and the earlier chamber-use authorization under House Resolution 1048 would be reinstated. It also urges the American Legion Auxiliary to reconsider any decision that would keep those students from participating. The bill was ultimately withdrawn by the author, so it did not proceed to enactment or change state law.
Impact
Because HR 1052 is a House resolution rather than a statute, it would not amend the Arkansas Code, but it would affect legislative access and support services for Arkansas Girls State. Specifically, it would revoke use of the House chamber and deny access to Bureau of Legislative Research bill-drafting assistance for the 2026 meeting unless the stated condition for reinstatement was met. Its practical impact would fall on Arkansas Girls State, the American Legion Auxiliary, participating schools, and the students affected by the application issue, while also signaling how the House manages use of its facilities for civic programs.
Sentiment
The resolution reflects support for Arkansas Girls State as a civic and leadership program, but that support is paired with frustration over the exclusion of qualified delegates due to administrative oversights. The tone is protective of the affected students and critical of the process that prevented their participation. At the same time, the fact that the resolution was withdrawn by the author suggests the issue may have been reconsidered or resolved before final action, and there is no recorded vote or committee debate to show broader chamber sentiment.
Contention
The main point of contention is whether Arkansas Girls State should retain access to the House chamber and legislative drafting services after some qualified students were denied participation because deadlines were missed by adults. Supporters of the resolution appear to view the denial as unfair to the students and believe the program should be held accountable. The American Legion Auxiliary is the central outside organization implicated, since the resolution urges it to allow the excluded students to participate. The conditional rescission language also suggests a compromise position: restore access if the affected students are admitted.