Alcohol – Family Council

Former Arkansas Congressman Opposes Alcohol at Little Rock Park

Jul 18, 2025Jerry CoxPublic DrinkingAlcohol, Entertainment Districts, Public Drinking

Former Arkansas Congressman Vic Snyder says he opposes a proposal to allow alcohol sales at Little Rock’s River Mountain Park.

In an opinion-editorial published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Thursday, Snyder writes, “I am opposed to any kind of beer or alcoholic beverage sales at River Mountain Park.”

Snyder says a privately owned kayak and bike rental facility that operates on the park’s property has applied to sell beer for consumption at nearby tables. Snyder says that while he wants the rental facility to be successful, “alcohol and water sports do not mix.”

Snyder writes,

Many Arkansans and their families like having outdoor recreation without the presence of alcohol sales on our park property. Is it any great hardship for folks who want a beer to drive up to Cantrell Road? What’s wrong with supporting businesses that pay market rates for leases, water, electricity, plumbing, sewer, restrooms and rest-room maintenance?

Whatever you think, please let Little Rock officials know your views. And comments with an original signature can be mailed or dropped off at Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, 101 E. Capitol, Little Rock 72201. Our recreation along the Arkansas River is too important not to be openly discussed.

We have written many times about how public drinking has been a problem in Arkansas.

In 2019 El Dorado became one of the first cities in Arkansas to authorize public drinking in an entertainment district. However, last year, the city council voted unanimously to shut down the district due to ongoing problems with fighting, vandalism, and other disorderly behavior.

As Snyder points out, authorizing alcohol in Little Rock’s River Mountain Park would have serious consequences for the area.

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

Legislation Filed to Double the Alcohol Content in Beer

Mar 27, 2025Jerry CoxAlcoholAlcohol, Arkansas Legislature

A bill filed on Wednesday would dramatically expand the alcohol content in beer and malt beverages in Arkansas.

S.B. 564 by Sen. Scott Flippo (R — Bull Shoals) and Rep. Matt Brown (R — Conway) raises the legal alcohol content for beer from 5% to 10% alcohol by weight, and it allows malt beverages to contain up to 21% alcohol by weight.

S.B. 564 is very similar to a bad bill the Arkansas House of Representatives rejected in February.

Under this measure, the alcohol content in beer could double. That could make stronger alcoholic drinks more widely available in stores and other locations where beer is currently sold across Arkansas.

At this point, alcohol is readily available in Arkansas. Any law expanding its strength, availability, or consumption raises serious concerns about DUI offenses, crime, public health, and public safety.

That is why Family Council generally opposes the expansion of alcohol in Arkansas.

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

Arkansas Senate Puts Alcohol Delivery Bill on Ice

Feb 4, 2025Jerry CoxAlcoholAlcohol, Arkansas Legislature

On Monday a measure expanding alcohol delivery in Arkansas failed receive enough votes to pass in the state senate.

Generally speaking, state law did not make it possible for stores to deliver alcohol directly to people’s homes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers first enacted alcohol delivery legislation following COVID lockdowns.

S.B. 98 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 amount of oversight or accountability — which, for example, could increase the likelihood of alcohol being delivered to a minor.

As we have written before, alcohol is already readily available in Arkansas. Any law expanding its strength, availability, or consumption raises serious concerns about DUI offenses, crime, public health, and public safety.

That is why Family Council generally opposes the expansion of alcohol in Arkansas.

Although S.B. 98 failed to pass on Monday, the measure could be brought back up for another vote in the future.