House panel delays voter-ID bill

— A House panel is delaying a vote on a bill that would require Arkansas voters to show photo identification at the polls before they could cast a ballot.

The House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday was expected to consider the voter ID bill proposed by Republican Sen. Bryan King of Green Forest. The Senate approved the measure last week.

But Democratic Rep. Jim Nickels of Sherwood asked that the vote be delayed so a fiscal impact study could be performed. The panel continued taking testimony but won’t vote until after the study is complete.

King’s proposal would only take effect when there’s funding for the state to provide IDs free of charge to voters who don’t have driver’s licenses.

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