CONCERNING THE COMPENSATION OF A RETIRED JUDGE APPOINTED AS A SPECIAL JUDGE; TO CLARIFY THAT A RETIRED JUDGE MAY SERVE AS A SPECIAL JUDGE IMMEDIATELY UPON RETIREMENT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB 1644 clarifies that retired Arkansas judges can serve as special judges immediately upon retirement, removing any prior waiting period. This amendment to Arkansas Code § 16-10-902 (subsection c) directly affects retired judges seeking special judicial appointments. The bill retroactively applies to January 1, 2025, and declares an emergency due to high demand for special judges amid limited availability. It ensures retired judges can be appointed without delay to address court staffing needs. The law became Act 370 after passage in March 2025.