The Arkansas Legislature is wrapping up its fifth week of the 2023 session. Here’s a look back at the week:
On Monday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed S.B. 43 to protect children from adult performances.
Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) filed S.B. 199 protecting children from medical malpractice in sex-change procedures.
On Wednesday Gov. Sanders unveiled her education plan for Arkansas. Family Council supports giving parents and children options in education without government regulations for nonpublic students.
Rep. Deborah Ferguson (D – West Memphis) filed H.J.R. 1008 amending the Arkansas Constitution to create a right to abortion.
On Thursday the Arkansas House Public Health Committee passed S.B. 138 by Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) and Rep. Rebecca Burkes (R – Lowell) repealing licensing requirements for abortion facilities in Arkansas despite concerns Family Council expressed about the bill’s unintended consequences.
Bad Bills Passed So Far
H.B. 1024 (Public Drinking): This bill by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) and Sen. Matt McKee (R – Pearcy) would let cities and towns that do not collect advertising and promotion taxes on hotels and restaurants establish entertainment districts where public drinking is legal. This would let communities 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 in Arkansas. Read The Bill Here. See How Your State Senator and State Representative Voted Here.
Bad Bills Filed So Far
S.B. 138 (Abortion): This bad bill by Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) and Rep. Rebecca Burkes (R – Lowell) repeals abortion facility licensing requirements in state law. Read The Bill Here.
H.J.R. 1008 (Abortion): This bad amendment by Rep. Deborah Ferguson (D – West Memphis) would amend the Arkansas Constitution to recognize a fundamental right to abortion. Read The Amendment Here.
H.B. 1301 (Abortion): This bad bill by Rep. Nicole Clowney (D – Fayetteville) would legalize abortion in cases of “fetal abnormality incompatible with life.” The bill does not define what is or is not a “fetal abnormality.” It is not clear how a federal judge might interpret this language. Unborn children should not be aborted simply because a doctor thinks they may be at risk for a fetal abnormality. Family Council strongly opposes this bill — and any other bill that would weaken our state’s pro-life laws. Read The Bill Here.
H.B. 1174 (Fetal Homicide and Wrongful Death): This bill by Rep. Richard Womack (R – Arkadelphia) and Sen. Matt McKee (R – Pearcy) changes Arkansas’ fetal homicide law and wrongful death statute. Among other things, the bill makes it possible to prosecute or sue a woman for the death of her unborn child. It is unclear how a court might interpret and enforce this bill in light of Arkansas’ laws prohibiting abortion. Read The Bill Here.
H.B. 1204 (Nonpublic School Testing): This bill by Rep. Jim Wooten (R – Beebe) requires nonpublic schools that receive any form of state funding to assess their students with a standardized test. Read The Bill Here.
H.B. 1349 (Gambling): This bad bill by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) legalizes paid “esports tournaments” in Arkansas, which could expand a form of gambling in the state. Read The Bill Here.
H.B. 1162 (Alcohol): This bad bill by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) would expand alcohol sales via microbreweries. Read The Bill Here.
Good Bills Passed So Far
H.C.R. 1005 (Religious Freedom): This good measure by Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) declares January 16, 2023, “Religious Freedom Day” in Arkansas. Read The Measure Here.
H.B. 1098 (Pro-Life): This good bill by Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) permits Safe Haven Baby Boxes at volunteer fire stations in Arkansas. See How Your Representative Voted. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.
Good Bills Filed So Far
S.B. 199 (Protecting Children): This good bill by Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) lets a child who undergoes a sex-change procedure sue the healthcare provider who performed procedure if the child suffers any physical, psychological, or emotional injury as a result. Read The Bill Here.
S.B. 43 (Decency): This good bill by Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) prohibits adult performances on public property or in view of children. It also prohibits public funding of adult performances. Read The Bill Here.
H.B. 1156 (Privacy): This bill by Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro) addresses privacy in public school locker rooms, showers, restrooms, changing areas, and similar facilities by requiring public schools to designate these facilities for “male” or “female” use. See How Your Representative Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.
S.B. 66 (Pornography): This good bill by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) requires pornographic websites to use a government-issued ID or a commercially available age verification method to protect children from pornography. See How Your Senator Voted Here. Read The Bill Here.
S.B. 81 (Obscenity): This good bill by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Russellville) and Rep. Justin Gonzales (R – Okolona) prohibits giving or sending a child harmful sexual material that contains nudity or sexual activity. The bill also eliminates exemptions for libraries and schools in the state’s obscenity statute, and it creates a civil cause of action Arkansans can use if the state, a city, or a county distributes obscene material. Read The Bill Here.
H.R. 1010 (Pro-Life): This good resolution by Rep. Cindy Crawford (R – Fort Smith) recognizes the vital role of pregnancy help organizations in Arkansas. Read The Resolution Here.
H.B. 1006 (Abortion): This good bill by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R — Knoxville) would require an employer that covers abortions or travel expenses related to abortions to also provide 16 weeks of paid maternity leave to employees in Arkansas. Read The Bill Here.
H.B. 1148 (Family): This good bill by Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R – Horatio) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R – Benton) provides an income tax credit of up to $1,000 for money spent on diapers, baby formula, baby wipes, and prepackaged baby food. Read The Bill Here.
H.B. 1305 (Child Welfare): This good bill by Rep. Delia Haak (R – Siloam Springs) protects child welfare by amending the “mature minor” doctrine in Arkansas law to clarify minors may consent to medical treatment for sexual assault; sexual, domestic, or physical abuse; or alcohol or substance abuse. Read The Bill Here.
