1:20 P.M. UPDATE:
Senate President Jonathan Dismang is urging his colleagues to be models of civility as they take up a growing list of challenging and potentially divisive issues in this year's legislative session.
Dismang, a Republican from Beebe, was sworn into a second term as the 35-member chamber's leader as lawmakers convened Monday for the 91st General Assembly.
Dismang shied away from addressing some of the topics facing lawmakers this session, including dueling tax cut plans and a push for new abortion restrictions. He said he wanted senators to find ways to work together and be examples.
Check back with Arkansas Online for updates and read Tuesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
— The Associated Press
EARLIER:
The 91st General Assembly convened at noon Monday as Arkansas lawmakers are set to tackle a number of hot-button issues during the regular legislative session.
Among the proposals brought forward in the Republican-controlled Legislature are an income-tax cut for low-income state residents making less than $21,000 annually, resulting in a $25 million reduction in general revenue in fiscal 2019.
Other proposed items on the agenda include changes to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment passed by Arkansas voters in November, additional restrictions on a method used for abortions and renaming Little Rock's Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field.
Rep. Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, was officially re-elected Monday afternoon as House speaker, becoming the fifth lawmaker to hold that title for two terms, according to his biography. He is serving his fourth term in the House.
[WATCH: Live video from the House of Representatives]
Gillam said legislators starting this week are embarking on a "journey to move this state forward," adding that lawmakers must be collaborative and civil to accomplish the tasks ahead.
"I am honored and extremely humbled by the confidence you have placed in me," Gillam told state representatives in the House chamber.
On Tuesday morning, Gov. Asa Hutchinson is scheduled to address a joint session of the state Legislature.
The state House of Representatives is composed of 100 members. Thirty-five members are in the Senate. Republicans make 76 of 100 seats in the House and 26 of 35 seats in the Senate.
— Brandon Riddle
Information for this article was contributed by The Associated Press.
