Summary of Bills

Current Events, Legislation, Legislature

Good Bills Enacted and Signed Into Law

Parental Consent for Abortions: HB 1033 is a bill by Rep. Jeremy Hutchinson of Little Rock requires parental consent for a minor to obtain an abortion. This bill has passed the legislature and was signed into law on March 3 by Governor Huckabee.
In God We Trust License Plate: HB 1488 is a bill by Rep. Frank Glidewell of Fort Smith that allows the State of Arkansas to issue an “In God We Trust” license plate. This bill has passed the House and the Senate. It should be signed into law by the time you read this letter.

Good Bills We Are Working to Get Passed

Preventing Adoptions and Foster Care by Unmarried Homosexual and Heterosexual Couples:
HB 1119 is a bill by Rep. Bob Adams of Sheridan that prevents couples who cohabit (live together out of wedlock) from adopting children or serving as foster parents. This bill has passed the house but it fell one vote short of passage in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 2. This bill is still alive and it may be voted on in the committee again.

Defining Marriage in Public Schools: HB 1136 is a bill by Rep. Roy Ragland of Marshall that prohibits public schools from promoting any definition of marriage that is contrary to the definition of marriage in the Arkansas Constitution. This bill has passed the House but it fell one vote short of passage in the Senate Education Committee on February 23. This bill is still alive and it may be voted on again in the committee.

Banning Partial-Birth Abortion: HB 2546 is a bill by Rep. Bill Pritchard of Fayetteville that would prohibit “partial-birth” abortion in Arkansas. This bill has been assigned to the House Public Health Committee.
Protecting Children from Internet Stalkers: HB 2578 is a bill by Rep. Jay Martin of Jacksonville that creates the crime of Internet stalking of a child. This bill has been assigned to the House Technology Committee.

Support for the Federal Marriage Amendment: HR 1016 is a resolution by Rep. Doug Matayo of Springdale that encourages the Arkansas Congressional delegation to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. This resolution has been assigned to the House Aging, Children and Youth Committee. SR 9 is a resolution by Sen. Shawn Womack of Mountain Home does the same thing. It has been assigned to Senate Health.

Tax Credit for Stay at Home Parents: SB 11 by Sen. Denny Altes of Fort Smith provides a state income tax credit for a lower income parent who stays at home with a young child rather than placing the child in daycare.
Pro-Life: SB 74 by Sen. Shawn Womack requires doctors who perform abortions on women whose pregnancy is past the 20th week to inform them that studies have shown that unborn babies past this age are able to feel pain.

Conscience Bill for Health Care Providers: SB 1141 is a bill by Sen. Jack Critcher of Batesville to allow health care providers to refuse to dispense medicine or participate in health care procedures if their beliefs are being violated. This is especially important regarding dispensing of drugs that may cause abortions or medical procedures that violate the right to life of newborn babies or the elderly.
Good Home School Bill: HB 2729 is a bill by Rep. Mike Kenney of Siloam Springs that has been filed as a “shell bill.” This bill can be amended to help home schools if the need arises. No action is needed on this bill at this time. Reducing Drunk Driving: SB 1061 is a bill by Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould that allows judges to require persons convicted of DWI to abstain totally from alcohol. The convicted person would wear a device that makes a record of any time they drink alcohol.
Alcohol Beverage Control Board: HB 2775 is a bill by Rep. Scott Sullivan that would require at least 2 members of the Alcohol Beverage Control Board to be appointed from dry counties. The current ABC board has no members from dry counties. This bill would provide the opportunity for there to be more equal representation on the board from counties across the state. SB 1108 by Sen. Holt provides for similar actions.

Requiring the ACLU to Register When They Oppose Ballot Issues: HB 1262 by Rep. Sid Rosenbaum of Little Rock requires organizations filing lawsuits to remove issues from the ballot to register and report their donations and expenditures with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

Unborn Child Abuse: SB 114 by Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould enables the mothers of newborn babies to be charged with child abuse if the child is born with illegal drugs in its system. This bill passed the Senate and House Judiciary Committee, but the full House failed to pass an amendment. It should be considered again.

Strengthening Covenant Marriage: HB 2948 is a bill by Rep. Jay Martin that improves Arkansas’ Covenant Marriage law. A covenant marriage is one in which couples limit their grounds for divorce.

Prohibiting Interference with Student-Initiated Prayer in Public Schools: HB 2971 by Rep. Bill Pritchard makes it illegal for school officials to interfere with student-led prayer at public school events such as athletic competitions, commencement exercises, or other school-sponsored functions.

HB 1768 by Rep. Johnny Key of Mountain Home: An act to provide for an administrative suspension of driver’s license for the offense of possession of alcohol by a minor.
HB 2338 by Rep. Benny Petrus of DeWitt: An act prohibiting the conduct of voyeurism.
HB 2562 by Rep. Eric Harris of Lowell: An act concerning school vouchers.
HB 2580 by Rep. Sid Rosenbaum of Little Rock: An act to allow a deduction from Arkansas income tax for education expenses.
SB 444 & SB 445 by Sen. Shawn Womack of Mountain Home: Keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors.
SB 981 by Sen. Shawn Womack: Keeping violent video and computer software games away from children.
SB 1003 by Sen. Shane Broadway of Benton: Makes it less likely that signatures on initiative and referendum petitions will be disqualified.
HB 1079 & HB 1265 by Rep. Timothy Hutchinson of Lowell creates penalties for pregnant women who use illegal drugs.
Bad Bills Defeated

Separation of Church and State: HR 1005 by Rep. Buddy Blair of Fort Smith was a resolution affirming the principle of “separation of church and state.” This resolution was defeated on the floor of the Arkansas House of Representatives.
Bad Bills We Are Trying to Defeat
Bad Home School Bill: HB 2439 is a bill by Rep. David Cook of Williford that would place more state regulation on home schools. Public school students would not be able to transfer to a home school during the semester and home school students who miss the annual state-mandated test would have to pay a testing agency to give them a make up test. This bill has been assigned to the House Education Committee.
A Social Worker in Every School: HB 2594 is a bill by Rep. Stephanie Flowers of Pine Bluff that requires the Department of Human Services to place social workers in public schools. This will increase the instances of state investigation of homes and families. A little government involvement in some homes and families can be good, but this is likely a case of too much of a good thing. This bill has been assigned to the House Education Committee.
Higher Priced Health Insurance With Mandatory Contraceptive Coverage: HB 2618 by Rep. Lindsley Smith of Fayetteville is a bill that requires insurance companies to include contraceptive coverage in all insurance policies. This will increase the cost of health insurance. This bill has been assigned to the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

Mandatory Contraceptives in all Clinics: HB 2782 is a bill by Rep. Joyce Elliott of Little Rock that forces health care facilities to stock emergency birth control medicines that some medical providers believe causes an abortion rather than preventing conception. Special Rights for Homosexuals: HB 2751 is a bill by Rep. Lindsley Smith of Fayetteville that adds the category of sexual orientation to Arkansas’ civil rights law. Our federal civil rights law does not include this category. Adding the category of sexual orientation would result in special rights being granted to homosexuals.

Discrimination Against Private School and Home School Students: HB 1983 is a bill by Rep. Jodie Mahony of El Dorado that would require home schoolers and private school students to pay $100 for the test and pass the public school benchmark exam in order to be eligible for the Governor’s Academic Challenge Scholarship. This bill has been assigned to the House Education Committee.

Weakening Sex Offender Laws: SB 958 & 959 are two bills by Sen. Percy Malone of Arkadelphia that lower from age 14 to 13 the age at which a person can be the victim of sexual indecency and removes enhanced penalties for indecent exposure if the victim is age 14 or under. These bills have been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Charitable Bingo: HJR 1003 by Rep. Shirley Borhauer of Bella Vista is a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution allowing non-profit organizations to conduct bingo and allowing the State of Arkansas to tax it. This bill has been assigned to the House State Agencies Committee.

Lottery: Here is a list of bills not likely to pass that seek to establish a state lottery: HJR 1004 by Rep. Blair, HJR 1005 by Rep. Flowers, and HJR 1006 by Rep. Ormond.

Bingo: Here is a list of bills not likely to pass that seek to allow charitable bingo: HJR 1002 by Rep. Borhauer, SJR 2 by Sen. Broadway.

Expansion of Gambling: SB 999 by Rep. Bob Johnson of Bigelow opens the door to the expansion of gambling at Oaklawn Race Track in Hot Springs and Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis through a local election to establish “casino-type” gaming at those locations.

Reduced Funding for Virtual School: HB 2822 by Rep. Jodie Mahony prohibits state funding of the Arkansas Virtual School. This would force the Arkansas Virtual School to have to operate on grant money, donations or other sources of funding.

Bills of Interest that Fall Outside Family Council’s Mission

Scholarships for Children of Illegal Aliens: HB 1525 is a bill by Rep. Joyce Elliot that allows the children of illegal immigrants to be eligible for in-state college tuition and for the Governor’s scholarships. This bill passed Arkansas House, but it failed to pass the Senate Education Committee on March 2. It can be brought up again.

Providing More Governor’s Academic Challenge Scholarships: SB 940 by Sen. Jimmy Jeffress of Crossett raises the family income threshold at which students will be able to qualify for the Governor’s Academic Challenge Scholarship. This will increase the number of students eligible for the scholarship.

Speak Up! Make Your Voice Heard! Make a Difference!

How to contact your legislator:
Leave a message at the Senate switchboard M-F 8-5: (501) 682-2902
Leave a message at the House switchboard M-F 8-5: (501) 682-6211

Find our who your legislators are and send them an e-mail
Go to our Voter Voice Internet site and type in your name and address. Here is the link: http://votervoice.net/groups/arfc

If you need talking points on these and other bills: Contact Family Council at (501) 375-7000 or e-mail us at:
info@familycouncil.org

READ MORE

Click on any bill number and name to see update

Legislation, Legislature

HB 1136: A bill to prohibit public schools from promoting any definition of marriage that is contrary to the Arkansas Constitution.

HB 1119: A bill to prohibit cohabiting couples from adopting children or serving as foster parents.
HB 1079: Child abuse for pregnant women who use illegal drugs.

HB 1033: Parental consent for abortions.

HB 1768: The Drivers License Suspension for Minor DWI

HB 1488: To authorize the “In God We Trust” License Plate

HB 1265: Enhanced penalties for illegal drug possession by pregnant women.

SB 74: The fetal pain bill.

SB 11: Tax credits for stay-at-home parents

SB 316: A bill to raise the death penalty age from 16 to 18





Senate Bill 316: A bill to raise the death penalty age from 16 to 18

Bill Number & Popular Name: Senate Bill 316: A act to exempt juveniles who were sixteen or seventeen years of age at the time the offense was committed from receiving the death penalty.

Summary of the Bill: Current law prevents the execution of person under age 16. This law would raise the age to 18.

Family Council Position on the Bill:

Bill Status:
Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee
Passed the Senate
Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee

Action Items: Contact your State Representative and ask him to vote for Senate Bill 316, the bill to raise the death penalty age to 18.

Primary Sponsor (s) By: Sen. Bryles & Rep. Pace

Other Sponsors:
Senators: Madison, Altes, Argue, Brown, Capps, Hill, Laverty, Luker, Miller, Salmon, T. Smith, Steele, Whitaker, Wilkins

Representatives: Pace, Goss, Blair, Blount, Borhauer, Bradford, Chesterfield, Clemons, Dangeau, Davenport, Elliott, Flowers, Hardy, Jackson, Jeffrey, J. Johnson, Ledbetter, Mahony, Pickett, Rainey, Rankin, Saunders, L. Smith, Willis, Wood

House Committee: Judiciary
Chair:
Representative John Paul Verkamp
Vice Chair:
Representative Mark Pate
Representative Jeremy Hutchinson
Representative Wayne Nichols
Representative Bob Adams
Representative Randy Rankin
Representative Booker T. Clemons
Representative Marvin Childers
Representative Will Bond
Representative Chris Thomason
Representative Doug Matayo
Representative Chris Thyer
Representative Michael Lamoureux
Representative Bruce Maloch
Representative Rick Green
Representative David Johnson
Representative Robert Thompson
Representative J. R. Rogers
Representative Timothy Hutchinson
Representative Frank Glidewell



House Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee

House Vote

Senate Committee: Judiciary
Chair:
Senator Ed Wilkinson
Vice Chair:
Senator Jim Luker
Senator Kim Hendren
Senator Sue Madison
Senator Irma Hunter Brown
Senator Mary Anne Salmon
Senator Jerry Taylor

Senate Committee Vote: This bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee

Senate Committee Comments

Senate Vote

Yeas: 24
Altes
Argue
Baker
Bookout
Broadway
Brown
Bryles
Capps
Higginbothom
Hill
Horn
G. Jeffress
J. Jeffress
B. Johnson
Laverty
Luker
Madison
Malone
Salmon
Steele
Trusty
Whitaker
Wilkins
Wilkinson
Nays: 9
Bisbee
Critcher
Faris
Glover
Hendren
Holt
Taylor
Womack
Wooldridge



Not Voting: 2
Miller
T. Smith


Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor



Senate Bill 114: Drug Abuse and Unborn Children

Bill Number & Popular Name: Senate Bill 114: Garret’s Law: To provide services to a newborn child born with an illegal substance present in the child’s system.

Summary of the Bill: If this law passes, a baby born with illegal drugs in its system could be considered a victim of child abuse. The attending physician would be required to notify the Department of Human Services and child abuse proceedings could begin against the mother and medical assistance provided for the child.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Support

Bill Status:
Passed the Senate Public Health Committee
Passed the Arkansas Senate
Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee

Action Items:
Contact your State Representative and ask him to vote for Senate Bill 114, Garretts Law.

Primary Sponsor (s): Sen . Wooldridge

Other Sponsors:

House Committee: Judiciary

Chair:
Representative John Paul Verkamp
Vice Chair:
Representative Mark Pate
Representative Jeremy Hutchinson
Representative Wayne Nichols
Representative Bob Adams
Representative Randy Rankin
Representative Booker T. Clemons
Representative Marvin Childers
Representative Will Bond
Representative Chris Thomason
Representative Doug Matayo
Representative Chris Thyer
Representative Michael Lamoureux
Representative Bruce Maloch
Representative Rick Green
Representative David Johnson
Representative Robert Thompson
Representative J. R. Rogers
Representative Timothy Hutchinson
Representative Frank Glidewell




House Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee

House Vote

Senate Committee: Public Health Committee
Chair:
Senator Jack Critcher
Vice Chair:
Senator Jerry Bookout
Senator Percy Malone
Senator Barbara Horn
Senator Steve Faris
Senator Bob Johnson
Senator Shawn Womack



Senate Committee Vote: This bill passed the Senate Public Health Committee

Senate Committee Comments

Senate Vote: Senate Bill 114, Garret’s Law
Yeas: 30
Altes
Argue
Baker
Bisbee
Bookout
Broadway
Bryles
Capps
Critcher
Faris
Glover
Hendren
Higginbothom
Hill
Holt
Horn
G. Jeffress
J. Jeffress
B. Johnson
Laverty
Malone
Miller
T. Smith
Steele
Taylor
Trusty
Whitaker
Wilkinson
Womack
Wooldridge
Not Voting: 4
Brown
Luker
Madison
Salmon
Excused: 1
Wilkins

Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor







Senate Bill 207: Liquor Permits in Dry Counties

Bill Number & Popular Name: Senate Bill 207: An act to require private club permit applications to obtain the approval of the city or county governing body.

Summary of the Bill: This bill would require the county quorum court or a city council to approve a request for a permit to sell alcohol in a dry county. If approved, the request for the permit could be sent to the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for their consideration. If approval of both the local governing body and the ABC Board would be required before a permit to sell alcohol in a dry county could be issued.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Support

Bill Status:
This bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee on City, County, and Local Affairs.

Action Items: Call your State Senator and ask him to vote for SB 207, the bill requiring local approval for the issuance of liquor permits in dry counties.

Primary Sponsor (s): Sen. Critcher

Other Sponsors:

House Committee:

House Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee

House Vote

Senate Committee: City County Local

Chair:
Senator Irma Hunter Brown
Vice Chair:
Senator Jerry Taylor
Senator Dave Bisbee
Senator Kim Hendren
Senator Shawn Womack
Senator Sue Madison
Senator Tracy Steele


Senate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee Comments

Senate Vote

Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor



Bill Number & Popular Name: Senate Bill 74, the fetal pain bill

Summary of the Bill: Women seeking abortions past the 12th week of pregnancy would have to be informed by the doctor that studies have shown that unborn babies beyond this stage of development feel pain.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Support

Bill Status:
Assigned to the Senate Public Health Committee

Action Items:
Contact your State Senator and ask him to support Senate Bill 74, the fetal pain bill.

Primary Sponsor (s): Sen. Womack

Other Sponsors:

House Committee:

House Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee

House Vote

Senate Committee: Senate Public Health

Chair:
Senator Jack Critcher
Vice Chair:
Senator Jerry Bookout
Senator Percy Malone
Senator Barbara Horn
Senator Steve Faris
Senator Bob Johnson
Senator Shawn Womack

Senate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee Comments

Senate Vote

Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor

Senate Bill 11: Tax Credits for Stay at Home Parents

Bill Number & Popular Name: Senate Bill 11: An act to provide an income tax credit for a parent who chooses to stay at home with his or her young child.

Summary of the Bill: This bill provides a $1,000 tax credit for families earning less than $32,000 per year who have a child under age 4 and one parents stays at home with the child.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Support

Bill Status:
Assigned to the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Action Items:
Contact your State Senator and ask him to vote for SB 11, the stay at home tax credit.

Primary Sponsor (s): Sen. Altes

Other Sponsors:

House Committee:

House Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee

House Vote

Senate Committee: Senate Revenue and Tax
Chair:
Senator Tim Wooldridge
Vice Chair:
Senator Bobby Glover
Senator Jim Hill
Senator Paul Miller
Senator Sharon Trusty
Senator Terry Smith
Senator Steve Higginbothom

Senate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee Comments

Senate Vote

Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor

HB 1136
Summary of the Bill: This bill was introduced as a bill to prohibit schools from adopting textbooks containing any definition of marriage that is contrary to the Arkansas Constitution.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Strongly Support

Bill Status:
Passed the House Education Committee
Passed the House of Representatives
Assigned to the Senate Education Committee
Failed to Pass the Senate Education Committee
May be brought up again in the Senate Education Committee

Action Items: This bill failed to pass the Senate Education Committee on February 16. It may be brought up again.

Primary Sponsor (s): Rep. Ragland & Senator Whitaker

Other Sponsors:

House Committee:

Chair:
Representative Joyce Elliott
Vice Chair:
Representative Dwight Fite
Representative LeRoy Dangeau
Representative Jodie Mahony
Representative Linda Chesterfield
Representative Jeff Wood
Representative Robert Jeffrey
Representative Betty Pickett
Representative James Norton
Representative Tommy Dickinson
Representative Shirley Walters
Representative Mike Kenney
Representative Marilyn Edwards
Representative Curren Everett
Representative Bill Abernathy
Representative Nancy Duffy Blount
Representative Mark Martin
Representative Rick Saunders
Representative David Rainey
Representative David Cook


House Committee Vote: For HB 1136: Wood, Jeffery, Norton, Dickinson, Walters, Kenney, Everett, Abernathy, Martin, Cook, and Fite
Against HB 1136: Dangeau, Mahony, Chesterfield, Pickett, Edwards, Blount, Saunders, Rainey, Elliott

Comments on House Committee: This bill passed the House Education Committee on a voice vote. The House of Representatives voted to return the bill to the committee. The committee debated the bill a second time and a role call vote was taken. The bill passed by a vote of 11 to 9.

House Vote
Yeas: 61
Abernathy
Adams
Adcock
Anderson
Berry
Bolin
Bright
Burris
Childers
Cook
Cooper
Creekmore
Davenport
Davis
Dickinson
Dobbins
D. Evans
L. Evans
Everett
Fite
George
Glidewell
Green
Hardwick
Harris
J. Hutchinson
T. Hutchinson
Jackson
Jeffrey
Kenney
Key
Lamoureux
Mack
Maloch
J. Martin
M. Martin
Matayo
Maxwell
Medley
Nichols
Norton
Ormond
Overbey
Petrus
Prater
Pritchard
Pyle
Ragland
Rogers
Rosenbaum
Sample
Schulte
Scroggin
Sullivan
Thompson
Thyer
Verkamp
Walters
Wells
Wood
Wyatt





Nays: 34
Blair
Blount
Bond
Borhauer
Boyd
Bradford
Chesterfield
Clemons
Dangeau
Dunn
Edwards
Elliott
Flowers
Hardy
Harrelson
D. Johnson
J. Johnson
Kidd
Ledbetter
Lewellen
Mahony
McDaniel
Pate
Pickett
Rainey
Rankin
Reep
Roebuck
Saunders
L. Smith
Sumpter
Thomason
Willis
Wills


Present: 3
Cowling
Goss
Mathis
Not Voting: 2
Pace
Mr. Speaker

Senate Committee: Senate Education Committee

Chair:
Senator Jim Argue
Vice Chair:
Senator Jimmy Jeffress
Senator Dave Bisbee
Senator Steve Bryles
Senator Hank Wilkins, IV
Senator Shane Broadway
Senator Gene Jeffress

Senate Committee Vote: For HB 1136: Jimmy Jeffress, Dave Bisbee, Gene Jeffress, Against HB 1136: Jim Argue, Shane Broadway, Steve Bryles

Senate Committee Comments: The bill was substantially amended at the beginning of the committee meeting. The amendment changed the focus on the bill from banning new textbooks that contain a definition of marriage that is contrary to the Arkansas Constitution, to prohibiting schools form promoting any definition of marriage that is contrary to the Arkansas Constitution. The ACLU spoke against the bill. Jerry Cox with Family Council spoke for the bill. Sen. Hank Wilkins, a member of the committee, was in the hospital and not able to attend the meeting.

Senate Vote

Concurrence in Amendments: If this bill passes the Senate, it will have to return to the House for concurrence in amendments.

Signed into Law by Governor
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HB 1119
Bill Number & Popular Name: HB 1119: To protect the children who are most vulnerable by clarifying the public policy of the state of Arkansas regarding the placement of children with an adoptive or foster parent.

Click for a copy of HB 1119: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1119.pdf

Summary of the Bill: Makes it illegal for couples who cohabit (live together out of wedlock) to adopt children or serve as foster parents.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Strongly Support

Bill Status:
Passed the House Aging Children and Youth Committee,
Passed the House of Representatives
Failed to pass the Senate Judiciary Committee (the bill isn’t dead. We’ll make another attempt to run it later in the session)

Action Items: The Senate Judiciary Committee failed to pass this bill on Wednesday, March 2. Voting against the bill were Sen. Jim Luker (D-Wynne), Sen. Irma Hunter-Brown (D-Little Rock), Sen. Sue Madison (D-Fayetteville), and Sen. Mary Anne Salmon (D-Little Rock).

Supporting the bill were Sen. Jerry Taylor (D-Pine Bluff), Sen. Kim Hendren (R-Gravette) and Sen. Ed Wilkinson (D-Fort Smith)

Primary Sponsor (s): Representative Adams & Senator Holt

Other Sponsors:

House Committee: House Aging Youth and Military Affairs
Chair:
Representative Buddy Blair
Vice Chair:
Representative Johnny Key
Representative Tommy G. Roebuck
Representative Sam Ledbetter
Representative Jay Bradford
Representative Shirley Borhauer
Representative Jay Martin
Representative R. Dwayne Dobbins
Representative Arnell Willis
Representative Rick Green
Representative Pam Adcock
Representative Stephanie Flowers
Representative Gregg Reep
Representative Dawn Creekmore
Representative Otis Davis
Representative Robbie Wills
Representative J. R. Rogers
Representative John Paul Wells
Representative David Cook
Representative Timothy Hutchinson



House Committee Vote: The bill passed the committee on a voice vote, no role call was requested

Comments on House Committee: There was lengthy testimony on both sides of the issue. John Thomas, assistant director of Family Council testified on behalf of the bill. Martha Adcock assisted Rep. Adams in explaining the bill to the committee. Rep. Joyce Elliott attended the meeting and spoke against the bill.

House Vote
Yeas: 78
Abernathy
Adams
Adcock
Anderson
Berry
Bolin
Borhauer
Boyd
Bright
Burris
Childers
Cook
Cooper
Cowling
Creekmore
Dangeau
Davenport
Davis
Dickinson
Dunn
D. Evans
L. Evans
Everett
Fite
George
Glidewell
Green
Hardwick
Harrelson
Harris
J. Hutchinson
T. Hutchinson
Jeffrey
Kenney
Key
Kidd
Lamoureux
Lewellen
Mack
Maloch
J. Martin
M. Martin
Matayo
Mathis
Maxwell
McDaniel
Medley
Nichols
Norton
Ormond
Overbey
Pace
Pate
Petrus
Prater
Pritchard
Pyle
Ragland
Rainey
Rankin
Reep
Roebuck
Rogers
Rosenbaum
Sample
Schulte
Scroggin
Sullivan
Sumpter
Thomason
Thompson
Thyer
Verkamp
Walters
Wells
Wills
Wood
Wyatt
Nays: 13
Blair
Blount
Bond
Bradford
Elliott
Hardy
Jackson
D. Johnson
J. Johnson
Ledbetter
Mahony
Saunders
L. Smith





Present: 3
Clemons
Flowers
Goss
Not Voting: 6
Chesterfield
Dobbins
Edwards
Pickett
Mr. Speaker
Willis

Senate Committee: Senate Judiciary Committee
Chair:
Senator Ed Wilkinson
Vice Chair:
Senator Jim Luker
Senator Kim Hendren
Senator Sue Madison
Senator Irma Hunter Brown
Senator Mary Anne Salmon
Senator Jerry Taylor


Senate Committee Vote: See above

Senate Committee Comments: We gave the committee strong evidence on the instability of cohabiting households, yet they chose to vote against the evidence and common sense.

Senate Vote: See above

Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor

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HB 1079
Bill Number & Popular Name: HB 1079: An act to create the offense of child abuse by prenatal exposure to a controlled substance.

Summary of the Bill: This bill makes it a felony for a woman beyond the 12th week of pregnancy to use illegal drugs.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Support

Bill Status: Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. No vote has been taken. This bill is not likely to pass.

Action Items: Let the members of the House Judiciary Committee know that you want them to vote for this bill.

Primary Sponsor (s): Representative T. Hutchinson

Other Sponsors:

House Committee: House Judiciary Committee

Chair:
Representative John Paul Verkamp
Vice Chair:
Representative Mark Pate
Representative Jeremy Hutchinson
Representative Wayne Nichols
Representative Bob Adams
Representative Randy Rankin
Representative Booker T. Clemons
Representative Marvin Childers
Representative Will Bond
Representative Chris Thomason
Representative Doug Matayo
Representative Chris Thyer
Representative Michael Lamoureux
Representative Bruce Maloch
Representative Rick Green
Representative David Johnson
Representative Robert Thompson
Representative J. R. Rogers
Representative Timothy Hutchinson
Representative Frank Glidewell


House Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee

House Vote

Senate Committee:

Senate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee Comments

Senate Vote

Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor

BACK TO TOP
HB 1033
Bill Number: HB 1033

Popular Name: An act to require parental consent before performing an abortion on a minor.

Action Point: No Action Necessary at This Time. HB 1033 has passed both the House and the Senate. After the House concurs in some Senate amendments to the bill, it will be sent to Governor Hucakbee to be signed into law.

Review the list of lawmakers who voted both for and against this bill. If your legislator voted for the bill, please thank him or her. If your legislator voted against this bill, contact them as ask why?
Primary Sponsor (s): Rep. Jeremy Hutchinson & Sen. Jack Critcher

Other Sponsors:
Representatives: Lamoureux, Rosenbaum, T. Hutchinson, Anderson, Borhauer, Boyd, Bright, Cooper, D. Creekmore, Dickinson, Fite, Hardwick, Harris, Kenney, Key, Mack, Maloch, M. Martin, Matayo, Medeley, Norton, Pace, Ragland, Sample, Walters, Willis, Petrus
Senators: Critcher, Womack, Altes, Baker, Bisbee, J. Bookout, Bryiles, Capps, Faris, Glover, Hendren, Holt, Horn, J. Jeffress, G. Jeffress, Laverty, J. Taylor, Trusty, Whitaker, Wooldridge

Summary of Bill:
This bill requires parental consent before an abortion can be performed on a girl under the age of 18. It makes exception for emergencies and it contains a judicial bypass for girls who do not wish to secure permission from a parent. In that case, a judge would stand in for the parent and grant or not grant permission for the abortion. This bill is virtually identical to a similar bill that would have passed the Arkansas Legislature in 2003 if the House of Representatives had not abruptly adjourned. Since 1989, Arkansas law has required to parental notification, but not consent for a girl under age 18 to obtain an abortion.

Status:
Passed House Public Health Committee
Passed Arkansas House of Representatives
Passed Senate Public Health Committee
Senate Vote likely on or after 2-15-05

Names of House Committee where bill is assigned (click on their name to e-mail)


Chair:
Representative Jay Bradford
Vice Chair:
Representative Stephen D. Bright
Representative Tommy G. Roebuck
Representative Bill Pritchard
Representative Shirley Borhauer
Representative Kevin Goss
Representative Stan Berry
Representative Sandra Prater
Representative Johnny Key
Representative Denny Sumpter
Representative Janet Johnson
Representative Daryl Pace
Representative Jay Martin
Representative Jim Medley
Representative Arnell Willis
Representative Roy Ragland
Representative Willie Hardy
Representative Stephanie Flowers
Representative Gregg Reep
Representative Dustin McDaniel

Notes about House Committee
This bill has already passed the House Committee

House Vote on HB 1033

Yeas: 83
Abernathy Adams Adcock Anderson Berry Bolin Bond Borhauer Boyd Bright
Burris Childers Cook Cooper Cowling Creekmore Dangeau Davenport Davis Dickinson
Dobbins Dunn Edwards D. Evans L. Evans Everett Fite George Glidewell Goss Green
Hardwick Hardy Harrelson Harris J. Hutchinson T. Hutchinson Jackson Jeffrey J. Johnson Kenney Key Kidd Lamoureux Mack Maloch J. Martin M. Martin Matayo
Mathis Maxwell McDaniel Medley Nichols Norton Overbey Pace Pate Pickett
Prater Pritchard Pyle Ragland Rainey Rankin Reep Roebuck Rogers Rosenbaum
Sample Schulte Scroggin Sullivan Sumpter Thomason Thompson Thyer Verkamp
Walters Wells Wills Wood Wyatt


Nays: 13
Blair Blount Bradford Chesterfield Clemons Elliott Flowers D. Johnson
Ledbetter Lewellen Mahony Saunders L. Smith

Not Voting: 4

Ormond Petrus Mr. Speaker Willis


Names of Senate Committee where bill is assigned (click on their name to e-mail)

Chair:
Senator Jack Critcher
Vice Chair:
Senator Jerry Bookout
Senator Percy Malone
Senator Barbara Horn
Senator Steve Faris
Senator Bob Johnson
Senator Shawn Womack


Notes about Senate Committee
This bill has already passed the Senate Public Health Committee


Senate Vote on HB 1033
Yeas: 27
Altes
Baker
Bisbee
Bookout
Broadway
Bryles
Capps
Critcher
Glover
Hendren
Higginbothom
Hill
Holt
Horn
G. Jeffress
J. Jeffress
B. Johnson
Laverty
Malone
T. Smith
Steele
Taylor
Trusty
Whitaker
Wilkinson
Womack
Wooldridge
Nays: 3
Brown
Madison
Salmon
Not Voting: 4
Argue
Faris
Luker
Miller
Excused: 1
Wilkins

House Concurrence in Amendments

Clarifying amendments were added to this bill in the Senate. It must return to the House for concurrence in these amendments. No significant opposition to this bill is expected in the House. If it passes the House it will move on to Governor Huckabee’s desk to be signed into law.

Senate Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law By Governor

Watch this site for information about a bill signing seremony with Governor Huckabee at the State Capitol.

BACK TO BILL LIST
HB 1265: Enhanced Penalties for Illegal Drug Possession by Pregnant WomenBill Number & Popular Name: HB 1265: An act to provide enhanced penalties for possession of a controlled substance by a pregnant person.

Summary of the Bill: This bill enhances criminal penalties if a pregnant woman is in possession of illegal drugs.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Support

Bill Status:
Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee

Action Items:
Contact your State Representative and ask him to vote for HB 1265, the bill that enhances penalties for pregnant women who possess illegal drugs.

Primary Sponsor (s): Timothy Hutchinson

Other Sponsors:

House Committee: Judiciary

Chair:
Representative John Paul Verkamp
Vice Chair:
Representative Mark Pate
Representative Jeremy Hutchinson
Representative Wayne Nichols
Representative Bob Adams
Representative Randy Rankin
Representative Booker T. Clemons
Representative Marvin Childers
Representative Will Bond
Representative Chris Thomason
Representative Doug Matayo
Representative Chris Thyer
Representative Michael Lamoureux
Representative Bruce Maloch
Representative Rick Green
Representative David Johnson
Representative Robert Thompson
Representative J. R. Rogers
Representative Timothy Hutchinson
Representative Frank Glidewell

House Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee:

House Vote:

Senate Committee:

Senate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee Comments:

Senate Vote:

Concurrence in Amendments:

Signed into Law by Governor:

HB 1262 is a bill to require ethics disclosure for groups working to disqualify ballot measures.Bill Number & Popular Name: House Bill 1262, An act to amend certain Arkansas ethics laws concerning disclosure for matters referred to voters.Summary of the Bill: This bill addresses a loophole in the law. Arkansas law requires individuals or organizations working to pass or defeat proposed constitutional amendments or other ballot measures to file reports with the Arkansas ethics commission. These are primarily financial disclosure reports that enable the public to know who is funding these efforts. In the summer of 2004, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to remove the Arkansas Marriage Amendment from the ballot. The Arkansas Ethics Commission did not require the ACLU to register or file any reports because they were not tying to defeat the amendment, they were trying to disqualify it. This law simply requires anyone trying to disqualify an ballot measure to file the same ethics reports as groups trying to qualify or pass the measure.

Family Council Position on the Bill: Strongly Support

Bill Status:
Passed the House Rules Committee on a voice vote. No role call was taken.
Passed the House of RepresentativesReferred to Senate State Agencies CommitteeAction Items: Call your State Senator and ask him to vote for HB 1262 , the ballot issue ethics disclosure bill.

Primary Sponsor (s): Representative Sid Rosenbaum

Other Sponsors:

House Committee: Rules Committee

Chair:
Representative Ken Cowling
Vice Chair:
Representative Betty Pickett
Representative Wayne Nichols
Representative Charles L. Ormond
Representative Bob Mathis
Representative LeRoy Dangeau
Representative Shirley Borhauer
Representative Travis Boyd
Representative David Evans
Representative Denny Sumpter
Representative Mark Pate
Representative Rick Saunders
Representative Gregg Reep
Representative Otis Davis
Representative Robbie Wills
House Committee Vote: The bill passed on a voice vote. No role call was taken.Comments on House Committee: The bill passed without discussion or opposition.House VoteYeas: 92
Abernathy
Adams
Adcock
Anderson
Berry
Blair
Blount
Bolin
Bond
Borhauer
Boyd
Bradford
Bright
Burris
Chesterfield
Clemons
Cook
Cooper
Cowling
Creekmore
Dangeau
Davenport
Davis
Dickinson
Dobbins
Dunn
Edwards
Elliott
D. Evans
L. Evans
Everett
Flowers
George
Glidewell
Green
Hardwick
Hardy
Harrelson
J. Hutchinson
T. Hutchinson
Jackson
Jeffrey
D. Johnson
J. Johnson
Kenney
Key
Kidd
Lamoureux
Ledbetter
Lewellen
Mahony
Maloch
J. Martin
M. Martin
Matayo
Mathis
Maxwell
Medley
Nichols
Norton
Ormond
Overbey
Pace
Pate
Petrus
Pickett
Prater
Pritchard
Pyle
Ragland
Rainey
Rankin
Reep
Rogers
Rosenbaum
Sample
Saunders
Schulte
Scroggin
L. Smith
Sullivan
Sumpter
Thomason
Thompson
Thyer
Verkamp
Walters
Wells
Willis
Wills
Wood
Wyatt


Not Voting: 8
Childers
Fite
Goss
Harris
Mack
McDaniel
Roebuck
Mr. Speaker


Senate Committee: State Agencies

Chair:
Senator Steve Faris
Vice Chair:
Senator Hank Wilkins, IV
Senator Jim Argue
Senator Jack Critcher
Senator Gilbert Baker
Senator Ed Wilkinson
Senator Shane Broadway
Senate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee Comments

Senate Vote

Concurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor
Bill Number & Popular Name: House Bill 1768; An act to provide for an administrative suspension of a drivers license for the offense of possession of alcohol by a minor.Summary of the Bill: Intoxicated drivers under age 21 would have their license suspended up to one year for certain DWI offenses.Family Council Position on the Bill: SupportBill Status:
Assigned to the House Rules CommitteeAction Items: Contact your State Representative and ask him to vote for HB 1768, the DWI driver license suspension law for minors.Primary Sponsor (s): Rep. Key & Sen. WomackOther Sponsors:House Committee: House RulesChair:
Representative Ken Cowling
Vice Chair:
Representative Betty Pickett
Representative Wayne Nichols
Representative Charles L. Ormond
Representative Bob Mathis
Representative LeRoy Dangeau
Representative Shirley Borhauer
Representative Travis Boyd
Representative David Evans
Representative Denny Sumpter
Representative Mark Pate
Representative Rick Saunders
Representative Gregg Reep
Representative Otis Davis
Representative Robbie WillsHouse Committee Vote:

Comments on House Committee:House Vote:

Senate Committee:Senate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee CommentsSenate VoteConcurrence in Amendments

Signed into Law by Governor

HB 1488: In God We Trust License Plate

Bill Number and Popular Name: HB 1488; To authorize the in God we trust license plate.

Summary of the Bill: This bill allows the issuance of a specialty license plate containing the national motto, “In God We Trust.”Family Council Position on the Bill: SupportBill Status:
Passed the House Transportation Committee
Passed the House of Representatives
Assigned to the Senate Transportation CommitteeAction Items: Call your State Senator and ask him to vote for HB 1488, the In God We Trust License Plate bill.Primary Sponsor (s): Rep. Frank GlidewellOther Sponsors:

House Committee: House Public TransportationChair:
Representative Johnnie Bolin
Vice Chair:
Representative Sid Rosenbaum
Representative Lenville Evans
Representative Susan Schulte
Representative David Wyatt
Representative George Overbey
Representative Wilhelmina Lewellen
Representative Pam Adcock
Representative Beverly Pyle
Representative Monty Davenport
Representative Dawn Creekmore
Representative Otis Davis
Representative Lindsley Smith
Representative Mike Burris
Representative Bill Sample
Representative Robbie Wills
Representative Nathan George
Representative Ray Kidd
Representative John Paul Wells
Representative Steve HarrelsonHouse Committee Vote: The bill passed the committee on a voice voteComments on House Committee:

House Vote
Yeas: 73
Abernathy
Adams
Adcock
Anderson
Berry
Blount
Bolin
Borhauer
Boyd
Bradford
Burris
Chesterfield
Childers
Clemons
Cook
Cooper
Cowling
Creekmore
Davenport
Davis
Dobbins
D. Evans
L. Evans
Everett
Fite
Flowers
George
Glidewell
Green
Hardwick
Harrelson
Harris
J. Hutchinson
T. Hutchinson
Jackson
Jeffrey
J. Johnson
Kenney
Kidd
Lamoureux
Lewellen
Mack
J. Martin
M. Martin
Matayo
Maxwell
McDaniel
Medley
Nichols
Norton
Overbey
Pace
Petrus
Prater
Pyle
Ragland
Rainey
Rankin
Roebuck
Rogers
Rosenbaum
Sample
Schulte
Scroggin
Sullivan
Sumpter
Thomason
Thompson
Verkamp
Wells
Wills
Wood
WyattNays: 9
Blair
Elliott
Hardy
D. Johnson
Ledbetter
Mahony
Pickett
L. Smith
ThyerPresent: 6
Bond
Edwards
Maloch
Pate
Pritchard
Saunders
Not Voting: 12
Bright
Dangeau
Dickinson
Dunn
Goss
Key
Mathis
Ormond
Reep
Mr. Speaker
Walters
WillisSenate Committee: Senate Public TransportationChair:
Senator Tracy Steele
Vice Chair:
Senator Jim Holt
Senator Ruth Whitaker
Senator Gilbert Baker
Senator Denny Altes
Senator Randy Laverty
Senator John Paul CappsSenate Committee Vote:

Senate Committee Comments:

Senate Vote:

Concurrence in Amendments:

Signed into Law by Governor:


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