(a) All bills introduced in either house of the General Assembly to change any of the existing circuit court districts through redistricting or by providing additional judgeships shall be referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee if the bill is from the Senate or the House Judiciary Committee if the bill is from the House of Representatives.
(b) The Senate Judiciary Committee or House Judiciary Committee shall request a letter certifying whether or not the proposed change meets the criteria of the Arkansas Judicial Council which shall be certified by the Secretary-treasurer of the Arkansas Judicial Council.
(c) No bill to change any of the existing circuit court districts through redistricting or providing additional judgeships shall be acted upon in either committee until a letter certifying that the proposed change meets the criteria has been attached to the bill. Upon suspension of the Joint Rules of the House of Representatives and the Senate, a bill may be withdrawn from the House Judiciary Committee or Senate Judiciary Committee and acted upon without the certification of the council attached thereto.