On Wednesday the Arkansas Senate passed a measure that could expand public drinking across the state.
H.B. 1024 by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) and Sen. Matt McKee (R – Pearcy) eliminates the provision in Arkansas law that restricts public drinking in “entertainment districts” to cities and towns that collect advertising and promotion taxes on hotels, restaurants, and similar businesses.
The tax provision in current law helps restrict “entertainment districts” to cities and towns where the hospitality and tourism industry is present.
Under H.B. 1024, communities could authorize public drinking in entertainment districts even if the community does not cater toward hospitality and tourism.
That has the potential to expand public drinking across the state.
The bill previously passed the Arkansas House of Representatives. It now goes to Governor Sanders’ desk.
The Following Senators Voted FOR H.B. 1024
- J. Boyd
- J. Bryant
- Caldwell
- L. Chesterfield
- Crowell
- B. Davis
- Dees
- J. Dotson
- J. English
- Gilmore
- Hester
- Hickey
- Hill
- Irvin
- M. Johnson
- B. King
- G. Leding
- F. Love
- M. McKee
- R. Murdock
- C. Penzo
- D. Sullivan
- C. Tucker
- D. Wallace
The Following Senators Voted AGAINST H.B. 1024
- A. Clark
- K. Hammer
The Following Senators Voted “Present”
- J. Payton
- J. Petty
The Following Senators Did Not Vote
- Flippo
- B. Johnson
- Rice
- G. Stubblefield
The Following Senators Were Excused From Voting on H.B. 1024
- J. Dismang
- S. Flowers
- Stone
The Following State Representatives Voted FOR H.B. 1024
- Achor
- Andrews
- Barker
- Beaty Jr.
- Bentley
- M. Berry
- S. Berry
- Breaux
- Brooks
- K. Brown
- M. Brown
- Burkes
- Joey Carr
- John Carr
- Cavenaugh
- Clowney
- A. Collins
- C. Cooper
- Cozart
- Crawford
- Dalby
- Eaves
- Ennett
- Eubanks
- Evans
- D. Ferguson
- K. Ferguson
- C. Fite
- L. Fite
- V. Flowers
- Fortner
- Furman
- D. Garner
- Gazaway
- Gonzales
- Gramlich
- Haak
- Hawk
- D. Hodges
- G. Hodges
- Hollowell
- Hudson
- L. Johnson
- Ladyman
- Long
- Lundstrum
- Lynch
- Maddox
- Magie
- McAlindon
- McCollum
- McCullough
- M. McElroy
- McGrew
- B. McKenzie
- S. Meeks
- Miller
- J. Moore
- K. Moore
- Nicks
- Painter
- Pearce
- Perry
- Pilkington
- Puryear
- Ray
- J. Richardson
- Richmond
- Rose
- Rye
- Schulz
- Scott
- R. Scott Richardson
- T. Shephard
- Springer
- Steimel
- Tosh
- Underwood
- Unger
- Vaught
- Wardlaw
- Warren
- Watson
- D. Whitaker
- Wing
- Womack
- Wooldridge
The Following State Representatives Voted AGAINST H.B. 1024
- Duke
- J. Mayberry
- McNair
- Milligan
- Walker
- Wooten
The Following State Representative Voted “Present” on H.B. 1024
- McClure
The Following State Representatives Did Not Vote
- F. Allen
- Beck
- Duffield
- Holcomb
- Jean
- Mr. Speaker
