Page 89 – Family Council

Governor Vetoes Bad Bill Legalizing Marijuana Deliveries

Apr 18, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Marijuana

On Wednesday, Gov. Sanders vetoed a bad bill that would legalize “medical” marijuana deliveries in Arkansas.

In 2016, Arkansas enacted an amendment permitting “medical” marijuana in the state. At the time, we warned that people would use marijuana recreationally under the amendment — and there is evidence showing that is happening.

H.B. 1889 by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R — Knoxville) and Sen. Joshua Bryant (R — Rogers) would let marijuana dispensaries in Arkansas deliver marijuana directly to patients and caregivers.

Under current law, marijuana is processed and delivered to dispensaries that are authorized to sell marijuana.

H.B. 1889 would let dispensaries use delivery vehicles to deliver marijuana to people rather than requiring people to come to the dispensary.

Letting marijuana dispensaries deliver marijuana to people serves no legitimate purpose, and it undermines regulations on “medical” marijuana.

The Arkansas Constitution already lets “designated caregivers” deliver marijuana to patients who are authorized to use it. That provision was written into the medical marijuana amendment to assist patients who can’t go to the dispensary.

Since designated caregivers are already able to deliver “medical” marijuana to patients, the deliveries legalized under H.B. 1889 are unnecessary.

Unfortunately, H.B. 1889 narrowly passed the Arkansas House and Senate, and it was sent to Gov. Sanders to be signed into law. However, the governor vetoed this bad bill on Wednesday.

In a letter to lawmakers, Gov. Sanders wrote,

To President Pro Tempore Hester and Speaker Evans:

Pursuant to my authority under Ark. Const. Art. 6, § 15, I am returning without my approval House Bill 1889, entitled “An Act to Amend the Limitations on Access to a Dispensary or Cultivation Facility; To Authorize a Dispensary to Deliver Orders via a Delivery Vehicle or via a Drive-Through Window.”

This legislation would expand access to usable marijuana, therefore I am vetoing this legislation.

Sincerely,
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Governor of Arkansas

Marijuana deliveries like the ones allowed under H.B. 1889 make it easier for “medical” marijuana to be moved to the black market or fall into the hands of people who are not authorized to use “medical” marijuana — including children.

States around the country have continued to encounter serious problems with marijuana trafficked illegally on the black market. Despite some provisions in H.B. 1889, the bill simply does not provide the kind of oversight necessary to keep that from happening in Arkansas.

We appreciate Gov. Sanders vetoing this bad bill. Lawmakers will reconvene on May 5, when they can decide whether to sustain or override the governor’s veto on H.B. 1889. Family Council will be there as well.

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

Arkansas House of Representatives Honors Life and Legacy of Hettie Lue Brooks

Apr 18, 2025Jerry CoxFamilyArkansas Legislature

Last week the Arkansas House of Representatives passed a memorial resolution in honor of Hettie Lue Brooks of Hot Springs.

Hettie went home to be with the Lord on April 2, 2025, at the age of 94.

There really are not enough words to describe Hettie’s life and ministry.

She and her husband, Don Brooks, founded Brookhill Ranch summer camp and Christian Ministries Church in Hot Springs. Hettie also led Hot Springs Women of Prayer, and she ministered to people in Belize.

Hettie was a longtime friend of the team at Family Council, and she prayed daily for Arkansas’ leaders.

It’s hard to overstate just how many lives Hettie Lue Brooks impacted in Arkansas, across America, and around the world. That’s why it is so fitting for our lawmakers to honor her legacy.

On April 10, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed H.M.R. 1012 by Reps. Mary Bentley, Alyssa Brown, Richard McGrew, Bruce Cozart, and Les Warren in memory of Hettie. The resolution reads,

WHEREAS, Hettie Lue Brooks, formerly of Hot Springs, passed away on April 2, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Hettie Lue Brooks, affectionately known as “Mim”, was a lifelong resident of Hot Springs and married Don Brooks in 1954; and

WHEREAS, Hettie Lue Brooks graduated from Hendrix College and then became the youth pastor at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Hettie Lue Brooks began married life with her husband in a little house on what became Brookhill Ranch, and in her early years she taught high school for both the Fountain Lake and Jessieville school districts; and

WHEREAS, in 1964, Hettie Lue Brooks and her husband began Brookhill Ranch Summer Camp, which has ministered to thousands of children during the sixty-one (61) years since; and

WHEREAS, in 1972, Hettie Lue Brooks founded Christian Ministries Church, which recently celebrated fifty-three (53) years of ministry; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, the Lord led Hettie Lue Brooks to begin Christian Ministries Academy, which is still developing Christian young people today; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Hettie Lue Brooks became involved with Hot Springs Women of Prayer, which just celebrated thirty-nine (39) years of praying for the City of Hot Springs; and

WHEREAS, Hettie Lue Brooks spent forty (40) years ministering to the people of Belize through an orphanage, school, and church; and

WHEREAS, for fifty (50) years, Hettie Lue Brooks hosted women’s seminars and was scheduled to host last year when she was ninety-three (93) years of age, and this was the first and only one ever canceled because of her health; and

WHEREAS, Hettie Lue Brooks was preceded in death by her husband, Don Brooks, and is survived by her children Tim, Missie, and Rodney as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and best friends,

NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

THAT the House of Representatives remember Hettie Lue Brooks as an Arkansas legend who positively impacted the lives of thousands of Arkansans as well as people all over the world.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Hettie Lue Brooks by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.

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

Arkansas Passes Law to Protect Physical Privacy and Safety in State Buildings, Jails, and Shelters

Apr 17, 2025Jerry CoxLegislationArkansas Legislature, Privacy

On Wednesday, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed S.B. 486 by Sen. Blake Johnson (R — Corning) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville).

This good bill protects physical privacy and safety of Arkansans in showers, locker rooms, changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters in government buildings and in state and local jails.

The bill also applies to changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters in shelters for victims of domestic violence.

S.B. 486 is similar to a law Arkansas passed in 2023 to protect privacy in public schools and on overnight school trips.

The bill would require the facilities named in the bill to be designated for “male” or “female” use. The measure generally requires people to use the facility that corresponds to their biological sex.

Over the years, we have seen efforts to house men with women in jails, let men stay in women’s shelters, and give men access to women’s changing areas, locker rooms, showers, and restrooms.

S.B. 486 is common sense legislation narrowly tailored to protect physical privacy and safety in public buildings and shelters in Arkansas.

S.B. 486 already passed in the Arkansas Senate. With its passage in the House, the measure now goes to Governor Sanders’ desk to be signed into law.