Lawmakers Have Filed 40 Proposed Constitutional Amendments This Year

Legislation

The Arkansas Constitution lets the legislature vote to place up to three constitutional amendments on the ballot at a November general election.

If the voters approve an amendments, it becomes part of the state constitution.

This year, lawmakers have filed 40 proposed constitutional amendments, and it is possible the legislature will begin voting on these amendments very soon.

Below is a very brief explanation of each proposed constitutional amendment that is currently in play at the legislature.

S.J.R. 1: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Require a Vote of Three-Fourths of Each House of the General Assembly to Enact, Amend, or Repeal Laws Concerning Access to Public Records or Access to Public Meetings (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). This proposed constitutional amendment would require a ¾ vote of the Arkansas House and Arkansas Senate to amend a law concerning access to public records.

S.J.R. 2: A Constitutional Amendment to Create the Arkansas Apportionment Commission to Apportion Districts for the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the United States House of Representatives (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). This proposed constitutional amendment would create the Arkansas Apportionment Commission to help oversee legislative and congressional redistricting in Arkansas.

S.J.R. 3: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the Membership of the State Highway Commission (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). This proposed constitutional amendment would change the membership and terms of the State Highway Commission.

S.J.R. 4: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Provide That the Annual School Election Shall Not Be Held if the Proposed Rate of Tax Levy Is the Same as Last Approved and No Other Matters Are to Be Decided (by Sen. Justin Boyd, R — District 27). This proposed constitutional amendment would clarify that an annual ad valorem tax will not appear on an annual school election ballot if the tax rate is the same as previously approved, and a school election will not be held if there is nothing else to vote on.

S.J.R. 5: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Repeal the Office of Lieutenant Governor (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate the office of Lieutenant Governor in Arkansas.

S.J.R. 6: A Constitutional Amendment to Provide That Certain Proceeds From the Sale of Medical Marijuana and Casino Gaming Shall Be Used for Crime Reduction and Prevention Programs and Assistance for Post-Release Supervision Services (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). S.J.R. 6 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to change how certain tax dollars from medical marijuana sales and casino gambling are spent in Arkansas.

S.J.R. 7: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Amend Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 98, Concerning Medical Marijuana (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). S.J.R. 7 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to change the constitution concerning medical marijuana.

S.J.R. 8: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Amend Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 100, Concerning Casino Gaming (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). S.J.R. 8 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to change the constitution concerning casino gambling.

S.J.R. 9: A Constitutional Amendment Permitting the State of Arkansas to Be Sued as a Defendant in State Court to Enforce Constitutional Rights or as Otherwise Provided by Law (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). S.J.R. 9 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to change the constitution concerning lawsuits against the State of Arkansas.

S.J.R. 10: A Constitution Amendment Concerning Efficiency in Government; And to Provide for the Creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). S.J.R. 10 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to change the constitution to create a Department of Government Efficiency.

S.J.R. 11: A Constitutional Amendment to Amend Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, § 5, to Protect the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (by Sen. John Payton, R — District 22). This proposed constitutional amendment would protect the right to keep and bear arms and the right to keep and bear ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components.

S.J.R. 12: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Requiring the General Assembly to Establish by Law a Revised Election Process (by Sen. Clarke Tucker, D — District 14). This proposed constitutional amendment would replace Arkansas’ partisan primary election process with a nonpartisan primary – or “jungle primary” – election process.

S.J.R. 13: A Constitutional Amendment to Allow a Candidate for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, or District Judge to Declare His or Her Party Affiliation or Independent Status When Running for Judicial Office (by Sen. Jim Dotson, R — District 34). This proposed constitutional amendment would let judicial candidates in Arkansas have a political party affiliation listed next to their names on the ballot.

S.J.R. 14: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the Determination of the True Value in Money of Real Property for Assessment Purposes (by Sen. Jim Dotson, R — District 34). S.J.R. 14 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to change the constitution concerning property assessment.

S.J.R. 15: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning Economic Development in the State of Arkansas; And Authorizing the General Assembly to Provide for the Creation of Economic Development Districts to Promote Economic Development (by Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R — District 18). This proposed constitutional amendment would let the General Assembly give cities, counties, and cooperative areas the ability to establish economic development districts financed by bonds, loans, and public grants.

S.J.R. 16: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Exempt Certain Real Property From Property Tax; And to Create Property Tax Exemptions for Certain Individuals (by Sen. Steve Crowell, R — District 3). S.J.R. 16 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to change property tax exemptions in Arkansas.

S.J.R. 17: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Create the Arkansas Taxpayer Bill of Rights (by Sen. Jim Dotson, R — District 34). This proposed constitutional amendment would require a ¾ vote of the General Assembly to levy new taxes, raise taxes, or extend taxes. The amendment would also repeal a provision in the constitution that prevents the General Assembly from raising certain taxes without a vote of the people, and it would amend the state’s budgeting practices.

S.J.R. 18: The Citizens Only Voting Amendment (by Sen. John Payton, R — District 22). This proposed constitutional amendment would place a provision in the constitution saying that only U.S. citizens may vote in Arkansas.

S.J.R. 20: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the Vote Requirements for Constitutional Amendments to Be Considered Approved at the General Election (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). S.J.R. 20 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to amend the vote requirements for constitutional amendments.

S.J.R. 21: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the Vote Requirements for Initiated Acts and Constitutional Amendments to Be Considered Approved at the General Election (by Sen. Bryan King, R — District 28). S.J.R. 21 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to amend the vote requirements for initiated acts.

S.J.R. 22: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the Qualifications to Vote in an Election (by Sen. Greg Leding, D — District 30). This proposed constitutional amendment would let a 17-year-old vote in a primary election if he or she will be 18 at the time of the general election.

S.J.R. 24: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Concerning Ballot Titles for Initiated Measures (by Sen. Mark Johnson, R — District 17). S.J.R. 21 is a “shell amendment” – meaning it only outlines the purpose of the amendment, but it does not explain how it would amend the constitution. Its purpose is to ensure titles for ballot measures are readable, clear, concise, and no more than 500 words long.

H.J.R. 1001: A Constitutional Amendment to Create the Citizens’ Redistricting Commission and to Repeal the Board of Apportionment (by Rep. Andrew Collins, D — District 73). This proposed constitutional amendment would create a new commission to oversee legislative and congressional redistricting in Arkansas.

H.J.R. 1002: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Repeal the Exception to the Prohibition of Slavery and Involuntary Servitude (by Rep. Jay Richardson, D — District 49). This proposed constitutional amendment would repeal a provision in the Arkansas Constitution that lets prisoners be required to work as punishment for a crime.

H.J.R. 1003: The Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment (by Rep. Andrew Collins, D — District 73). This proposed constitutional amendment would amend how the General Assembly makes laws concerning government transparency and accountability.

H.J.R. 1005: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Create the Arkansas Taxpayer Bill of Rights (by Rep. Wayne Long, R — District 39). This proposed constitutional amendment would require a ¾ vote of the General Assembly to levy new taxes, raise taxes, or extend taxes. The amendment would also repeal a provision in the constitution that prevents the General Assembly from raising certain taxes without a vote of the people, and it would amend the state’s budgeting practices.

H.J.R. 1006: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Providing That a Governmental Body Shall Not Use State or Local Funds to Enter Into a Contract With a Lobbyist for Lobbying Purposes (by Rep. Brit McKenzie, R — District 7). This proposed constitutional amendment would prevent governmental bodies from contracting with lobbyists to lobby on their behalf.

H.J.R. 1007: A Constitutional Amendment to Create a Procedure for the Recall of Certain Elected Officials (by Rep. Fran Cavenaugh, R — District 30). This proposed constitutional amendment would create a recall process for Arkansas’ governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, land commissioner, lawmakers, judges, and county officials.

H.J.R. 1008: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Concerning the Taxation of Personal Property and Real Property in the State of Arkansas (by Rep. Stephen Meeks, R — District 42). This proposed constitutional amendment would outline legislative processes for reducing or levying property taxes and provide distinctions between real property taxes and personal property taxes.

H.J.R. 1009: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Be Known as the Arkansas Victims’ Bill of Rights; And to Provide Rights for Victims of Misdemeanor and Felony Offenses, Including Victims in the Adult and Juvenile Justice Systems (by Rep. Karilyn Brown, R — District 67). This proposed constitutional amendment would outline rights and protections for victims who are harmed by a crime – including the right to be treated fairly, protected from the person who committed the crime, and to have the case resolved in a timely manner.

H.J.R. 1010: A Constitutional Amendment to Provide That by a Two-Thirds Vote, the Senate May Remove Members of Certain Boards and Commissions for Cause Only, After Notice and Hearing (by Rep. Steve Unger, R — District 19). This proposed constitutional amendment would let the Arkansas Senate remove certain state board or commission members upon a ⅔ vote.

H.J.R. 1011: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning the Consideration of Bills Other Than Appropriation Bills During a Fiscal Session of the General Assembly (by Rep. Stephen Meeks, R — District 42). This proposed constitutional amendment would let the Arkansas Legislature consider non-budget measurers during its fiscal sessions if the measure is filed within the first seven days of the fiscal session.

H.J.R. 1012: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Repeal Provisions Concerning the Reappraisal and Reassessment of Real Property; And to Amend Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 79, Concerning Real Property Taxes (by Rep. Scott Richardson, R — District 13). This proposed constitutional amendment would generally prevent property from being reassessed for tax purposes unless it is given or sold to another person.

H.J.R. 1013: A Constitutional Amendment to Provide That Certain Vacancies Shall Be Filled by Appointment by the Governor (by Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R — District 45). This proposed constitutional amendment would let the governor appoint people to fill vacancies in elected offices.

H.J.R. 1014: A Constitutional Amendment Concerning Economic Development in the State of Arkansas; And Authorizing the General Assembly to Provide for the Creation of Economic Development Districts to Promote Economic Development (by Rep. Howard Beaty, R — District 95). This proposed constitutional amendment would let the General Assembly give cities, counties, and cooperative areas the ability to establish economic development districts financed by bonds, loans, and public grants.

H.J.R. 1015: A Constitutional Amendment to Ensure Transparency by Requiring a Judicial Candidate to Declare His or Her Political Party Affiliation or Independent Status When Running for Office (by Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R — District 18). This proposed constitutional amendment would require judicial candidates in Arkansas to have a political party affiliation listed next to their names on the ballot.

H.J.R. 1016: A Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the Provision of Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, § 1, Allowing the Sponsor of an Initiative or Referendum Petition to Correct or Amend a Petition (by Rep. David Ray, R — District 69). This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate the “cure period” for ballot initiative sponsors to correct defective petitions or gather additional signatures if their measure fails to make the ballot.

H.J.R. 1017: A Constitutional Amendment Providing That a Proposed State-Wide Initiated Act or Constitutional Amendment Shall Become a Law When Approved by a Majority of the Votes Cast in the Election and a Majority of the Counties of the State (by Rep. David Ray, R — District 69). This proposed constitutional amendment would require ballot measures to pass in a majority of counties across the state and receive a majority vote in order to become law.

H.J.R. 1018: The Citizens Only Voting Amendment (by Rep. David Ray, R — District 69). This proposed constitutional amendment would place a provision in the constitution saying that only U.S. citizens may vote in Arkansas. 

H.J.R. 1019: An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Remove References to Greyhound Racing From Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 100 (by Rep. Stephen Meeks, R — District 42). This proposed constitutional amendment would remove references to greyhound racing from the Arkansas Constitution, in light of the fact that Southland Casino in West Memphis no longer conducts greyhound racing.

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Meetings Pause, But Policy-Making Continues: Week 11 Recap

Legislation,
Family Council President Jerry Cox addresses ministers and elected leaders in the capitol rotunda. (File photo: March 6, 2025).

The Arkansas Legislature is in recess this week for spring break. However, lawmakers did file several bills — including a bad measure that would increase the alcohol content in beer.

Below is a breakdown of legislation Family Council is tracking at the capitol.

Good Bills Passed

Act 387 / H.B. 1610 (Pro-Life): This good law by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R — Elm Springs) and Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R — Texarkana) would clarify Arkansas’ law that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency. The bill clarifies the definition of “medical emergency,” strengthens legal protections for doctors who treat pregnant women, closes possible loopholes in the current abortion law, and makes it clear that abortion remains illegal in Arkansas except to save the mother’s life. See How Your Representative Voted Here. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1551 (Pro-Life): This good law by Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R — Paragould) clarifies that it is a crime to secretly give a pregnant woman abortion-inducing drugs without her knowledge or consent. See How Your Representative Voted Here. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 153 / H.B. 1221 (Ballot Initiatives): This good law by Rep. David Ray (R — Maumelle) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) clarifies Arkansas’ laws concerning initiatives and referenda. The bill makes it clear that petition signatures expire at the end of a General Election cycle. This would prevent canvassers from collecting signatures across multiple election cycles and help ensure sponsors don’t submit old signatures that are outdated or more likely to be invalid. See How Your Representative Voted Here. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 154 / H.B. 1222 (Ballot Initiatives): This good law by Rep. David Ray (R — Maumelle) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) clarifies Arkansas’ laws concerning initiatives and referenda. The bill says the Arkansas Attorney General cannot approve a measure’s sponsors to begin collecting signatures to place a measure on the ballot if the measure conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or federal law. The bill also prevents sponsors from asking the attorney general to certify conflicting measures. See How Your Representative Voted Here. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 218 / S.B. 207 (Ballot Initiatives): This good law by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Kendon Underwood (R — Cave Springs) requires petition canvassers to inform people that petition fraud is a crime before obtaining their signatures on a petition. See How Your Senator Voted Here. See How your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 240 / S.B. 208 (Ballot Initiatives): This good law by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Kendon Underwood (R — Cave Springs) requires canvassers to verify a person’s identity via photo ID before obtaining the person’s signature on a petition. This helps prevent people from fraudulently signing someone else’s name on a petition. See How Your Senator Voted Here. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 273 / S.B. 209 (Ballot Initiatives): This good law by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Kendon Underwood (R — Cave Springs) clarifies that the signatures a canvasser collects will not count if the Secretary of State finds the canvasser has violated Arkansas’ laws concerning canvassing, perjury, forgery, or fraud in the process of gathering signatures. See How Your Senator Voted Here. See How Your Representative Voted. Read The Bill Here.

Act 274 / S.B. 210 (Ballot Initiatives): This good law by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Kendon Underwood (R — Cave Springs) requires people to read the ballot title of the measure before signing a petition. The ballot title includes a summary of the ballot measure. Reading the ballot title helps ensure people understand the measure before they sign a petition to place the measure on the ballot. See How Your Senator Voted Here. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 241 / S.B. 211 (Ballot Initiatives): This good law by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Kendon Underwood (R — Cave Springs) requires petition canvassers to file an affidavit with the Secretary of State verifying that the canvasser complied with the Arkansas Constitution and all Arkansas laws concerning canvassing, perjury, forgery, and fraud in the process of gathering signatures. See How Your Representative Voted Here. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 271 / H.B. 1452 (Marijuana): This good law by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R — Elm Springs) and Sen. Tyler Dees (R — Siloam Springs) prohibits marijuana use in public and on Arkansas’ highways. See How Your Representative Voted. See How Your Senator Voted. Read The Bill Here.

Act 400 / S.B. 223 (Religious Liberty): This good bill by Sen. Mark Johnson (R — Little Rock) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R — Heber Springs) affirms public school students’ and teachers’ religious liberties at school. See How Your Senator Voted Here. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Good Bills Filed

S.B. 533 (Drugs): This good bill by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) prohibits dangerous drugs like THC made from industrial hemp. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1615 (Religious Liberty): This good bill by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R — Elm Springs) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R — Branch) would ensure that faith-based adoption and foster care providers, religious organizations, and religious individuals are not penalized for living out their deeply held religious convictions. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 444 (Conscience Protections): This good bill by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Lee Johnson (R — Greenwood) strengthens the healthcare workers’ rights of conscience law Arkansas passed in 2021. Among other things, this good bill adds whistleblower protections for healthcare workers, and it helps protect all medical professionals from having their rights of conscience violated. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1180 (Pro-Life): This good bill by Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R — Springdale) ensures public schools show students a high-definition ultrasound video that is at least three minutes long as part of sex-education and human growth and development education courses. The bill also ensures students see a video like Live Action’s computer-animated “Meet Baby Olivia” video that teaches about human development from conception to birth. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 450 (Pro-Life): This good bill by Sen. Breanne Davis (R — Russellville) and Rep. Kendra Moore (R — Lincoln) makes it possible for public school students to see a recording of a high-definition ultrasound video as part of human fetal growth and development education courses and learn important facts about how unborn children develop in the womb. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1678 (Pro-Life): This good bill by Rep. Wayne Long (R — Bradford) would strengthen Arkansas’ Abortion-Inducing Drugs Safety Act that prevents abortion drugs from being delivered or administered illegally in Arkansas. The bill would increase the penalty for selling or prescribing illegal abortion-inducing drugs, and it would make it easier to take a person to court for violating the Abortion-Inducing Drugs Safety Act. All of this would provide additional options for enforcing Arkansas’ pro-life laws. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1404 (Pro-Life): This good bill by Rep. Cameron Cooper (R — Romance) and Sen. John Payton (R — Wilburn) creates a tax credit for donations to pro-life pregnancy resource centers. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1202 (Pro-Life): This good bill by the Joint Budget Committee appropriates money for the Department of Finance and Administration for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The budget includes $2 million in grant funding to pregnancy help organizations that promote maternal and infant wellness and provide material support to women with unplanned pregnancies. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1142 (Bioethics): This good bill by Rep. Alyssa Brown (R — Heber Springs) and Sen. Jim Dotson (R — Bentonville) would promote ethical fertility treatments such as restorative reproductive medicine in Arkansas. The bill also protects healthcare providers who have conscientious objections to unethical in vitro fertilization (IVF) and similar procedures. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1554 (Bioethics): This good bill by Rep. Alyssa Brown (R — Heber Springs) and Sen. Jim Dotson (R — Bentonville) establishes the Assisted Reproductive Technology Reporting Act in Arkansas. The bill would require fertility clinics to track and report key data related to assisted reproductive technology. H.B. 1554 also would mandate annual reporting on embryo creation, usage, and outcomes, as well as tracking maternal and neonatal health for children conceived through ART. All of this would help the Arkansas Department of Health better track assisted reproductive technology in the state. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1139 (Religious Liberty): This good bill by Rep. Brit McKenzie (R — Rogers) and Sen. Joshua Bryant (R — Rogers) would strengthen Arkansas’ law concerning public school “released time.” The bill clarifies that public schools must excuse students from school, if the students’ parents request it, to receive religious instruction off-campus. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1574 (Ballot Initiatives): This good bill by Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R — Horatio) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) requires petition canvassers for ballot measures to be Arkansas residents who actually live in the state. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 212 (Ballot Initiatives): This good bill by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Kendon Underwood (R — Cave Springs) creates the Document Validity Division within the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office to investigate, subpoena, and nullify fraudulent or false documents related to ballot initiatives. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1713 (Ballot Initiatives): This good bill by Rep. Ryan Rose (R — Van Buren) and Sen. Mark Johnson (R — Little Rock) requires ballot initiative titles to be written at or below an eighth grade reading level. A ballot title is supposed to accurately summarize a measure so voters can decide if they support or oppose it. H.B. 1713 is similar to legislation enacted in other states to help make sure ballot titles are easy for voters to read and understand. This will help address deceptive or misleading ballot initiatives in Arkansas. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1714 (Ballot Initiatives): This good bill by Rep. Ryan Rose (R — Van Buren) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) clarifies the definition of a “paid canvasser” in state law. Current law says that anyone who receives anything of value in return for soliciting signatures on a petition is a paid canvasser. Paid canvassers are subject to certain laws that do not apply to volunteer canvassers. H.B. 1714 further clarifies that receiving anything of value includes receiving payment for items like food, lodging, travel, bonuses, fees, gift cards, and other payments associated with obtaining signatures on a petition. This will help bring better clarity to state law. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1162 (Good Friday): This good bill by Rep. Matt Duffield (R — Russellville) would establish Good Friday as an official state holiday in Arkansas. Some school districts in Arkansas already close in honor of Good Friday. This bill would ensure Arkansas’ public school students, teachers, and state employees are able to observe and celebrate Good Friday with their churches and their families. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 49 (Used Car Tax): This good bill by Sen. Justin Boyd (R — Fort Smith) and Rep. Lee Johnson (R — Greenwood) would eliminate the sales tax on used cars sold for less than $10,000. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 82 (Used Car Tax): This good bill by Sen. John Payton (R — Wilburn) would eliminate the sales tax on used cars sold for less than $10,000. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1529 (Pornography): This good bill by Rep. Stephen Meeks (R — Greenbrier) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R — Springdale) prohibits people from using artificial intelligence to create and distribute “deepfake” pornographic images depicting another individual without that individual’s consent. Read The Bill Here.

Bad Bills Passed

Act 28 / H.B. 1204 (Tort Reform): This bad bill by Rep. Jon Eubanks (R — Paris) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R — Mountain View) restricts what people can recover in damages when they are injured through no fault of their own. The bill effectively reduces what a person or company might be forced to pay when they injure an innocent person. H.B. 1204 benefits insurance companies who might not be forced to pay as much in lawsuits. That might increase the insurance companies’ profits, but there is no guarantee it will result in lower premiums for customers. Family Council has concerns about potential, unintended consequences this bill could have on families. See How Your Representative Voted Here. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.

Act 157 / S.B. 98 (Alcohol): This bad bill by Sen. Breanne Davis (R — Russellville) and Rep. John Maddox (R — Mena) expands alcohol delivery in Arkansas. The measure expands the list of stores that can deliver alcohol to include grocery stores, small farm wine convenience stores, and retail beer sellers. The bill also lets delivery companies obtain permits to deliver alcohol to consumers on behalf of the stores. Currently, retailers are directly responsible for ensuring all alcohol deliveries comply with state laws — including laws against delivering to minors. S.B. 98 shifts liability from the retailer to the delivery service. Right now, retailers have accountability in following alcohol laws. Under S.B. 98, alcohol deliverers may not have the same degree of oversight or accountability. See How Your Senator Voted Here. See How Your Representative Voted. Read The Bill Here.

Bad Bills Filed

H.B. 1722 (Drugs): This bad bill by Rep. Jeremiah Moore (R — Clarendon) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R — Branch) would legalize THC and other dangerous drugs made from cannabis under the state’s industrial hemp law. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1578 (Drugs): This bad bill by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R — Knoxville) and Sen. Joshua Bryant (R — Rogers) legalizes intoxicating drinks containing THC made from cannabis under the state’s industrial hemp law. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 455 (Drugs): This bad bill by Sen. Joshua Bryant (R — Rogers) and Rep. Justin Gonzales (R — Okolona) would legalize THC made from hemp if Arkansas’ laws restricting THC are ruled unconstitutional. Under this bill, food, drinks, and similar products containing as much as 50mg of THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids could be sold in Arkansas. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 564 (Alcohol): This bad bill by Sen. Scott Flippo (R — Bull Shoals) and Rep. Matt Brown (R — Conway) raises the legal alcohol content for beer from 5% to 10%, and it allows malt beverages to contain up to 21% alcohol by weight. Under this measure, beer could contain twice as much alcohol as it currently does. That could make stronger alcoholic drinks more widely available in stores and other locations where beer is currently sold across Arkansas. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1173 (Alcohol): This bad bill by Rep. Matt Brown (R — Conway) and Sen. Scott Flippo (R — Bull Shoals) raises the legal alcohol content for beer from 5% to 14% alcohol by weight, and it allows malt beverages to contain up to 21% alcohol by weight. Under this measure, beer could contain nearly three times as much alcohol as it currently does. That could make stronger alcoholic drinks more widely available in stores and other locations where beer is currently sold across Arkansas. See How Your Representative Voted. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1371 (Human Trafficking): This bad bill by Rep. Jeff Wardlaw (R — Hermitage) repeals human trafficking prevention education requirements for commercial drivers. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1880 (Abortion): This bad bill by Rep. Ashley Hudson (D — Little Rock) would expand abortion in Arkansas. The bill would add sweeping health exceptions for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. It also would permit abortion in cases of rape or incest or when a baby is at risk of certain fetal abnormalities. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1011 (Abortion): This bad bill by Rep. Andrew Collins (D — Little Rock) would repeal virtually all of Arkansas’ pro-life laws, and it would legalize abortion throughout the state. Read The Bill Here.

S.C.R. 2 (DEI): This bad resolution by Sen. Jamie Scott (D — North Little Rock) and Rep. Jay Richardson (D — Fort Smith) calls Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) “essential to creating a society where all individuals are valued, heard, and included,” and says that “efforts to attack DEI are harmful to the bottom line and health of our economy.” DEI policies are closely aligned with critical theory and have been shown to be bad for business and government. Read The Resolution Here.

H.B. 1013 (Bioethics): This bad bill by Rep. Ashley Hudson (D – Little Rock) governs fertility treatments in Arkansas. The bill would let fertility labs in Arkansas create, freeze, store, and kill human embryos as part of unethical in vitro fertilization—or IVF—practices. Human beings are not lab material. This bad bill fails to respect every unborn child’s right to life. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1014 (Bioethics): This bad bill by Rep. Andrew Collins (D — Little Rock) would require the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program to pay for unethical IVF practices. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1020 (School Choice): This bad bill by Rep. Andrew Collins (D — Little Rock) would repeal the 2023 LEARNS Act’s education freedom account program that lets students use public funds to pay for an education at a private school or at home. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1028 (Libraries): This bad bill by Rep. Andrew Collins (D — Little Rock) would repeal Arkansas’ laws that protect children from harmful sexual material. It also would let libraries lend or share obscene material, and it requires public libraries to have “a written policy prohibiting the practice of banning books or other materials because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval” in order to receive public funding. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1031 (Sex Education): This bad bill by Rep. Denise Garner (D — Fayetteville) would make it possible for the Arkansas Department of Education to implement Planned Parenthood-style sex education as part of larger changes to public school health curriculum. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1032 (LGBT): This bad bill by Rep. Andrew Collins (D — Little Rock) would prevent healthcare professionals from helping people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion. The way the bill is written, H.B. 1032 would let counselors, doctors, and other healthcare professionals encourage people to be LGBT, but healthcare professionals would not be able to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or accept their biological sex. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1033 (Red Flag Law): This bad bill by Rep. Tippi McCullough (D — Little Rock) would create a “red flag” law in Arkansas making it easier for authorities to confiscate firearms from citizens that the government deems a danger to themselves or others. Read The Bill Here.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Two Bills Filed to Strengthen Rights of Conscience in Arkansas

Legislation, , ,

Two bills filed at the Arkansas Legislature would help strengthen protections for religious liberty and rights of conscience across the state.

Right now Arkansas has some of the best conscience protections in America.

In 2015 Gov. Hutchinson signed Arkansas’ Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law. In 2023 lawmakers passed additional legislation to further strengthen that good law.

In 2021 Arkansas passed Act 462 protecting healthcare workers’ rights of conscience. Before 2021, Arkansas’ conscience protections were narrowly focused on abortion and end of life decisions, and they protected very few people. Act 462 helped broaden those protections for all healthcare workers.

Two bills filed this year would make these good laws even better.

H.B. 1615 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R — Elm Springs) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R — Branch) would ensure that faith-based adoption and foster care providers, religious organizations, and religious individuals are not penalized for living out their deeply held religious convictions.

Time and again, wedding venues, bakeries, photography studios, florist shops, and others have been targeted by public officials and dragged into court simply because their owners wanted to operate according to their deeply held convictions. H.B. 1615 will help prevent the government from burdening the free exercise of religion in Arkansas.

S.B. 444 by Sen. Kim Hammer (R — Benton) and Rep. Lee Johnson (R — Greenwood) strengthens the healthcare workers’ rights of conscience law Arkansas passed in 2021. Among other things, this good bill adds whistleblower protections for healthcare workers, and it helps protect all medical professionals from having their rights of conscience violated.

If passed, these two bills would help Arkansas continue providing some of the best protections for religious liberty and rights of conscience in the country. That would be something to celebrate.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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