Bill Filed to Create Tax Credit for Donations to Charities that Support Women with Unplanned Pregnancies

Legislation filed Tuesday would create a tax credit for donations to charities that support women with unplanned pregnancies.

H.B. 1404 by Rep. Cameron Cooper (R — Romance) and Sen. John Payton (R — Wilburn) establishes an state income tax credit for donations to pregnancy help organizations — such as pregnancy resource centers and similar charities — in Arkansas. Under this bill, individuals and businesses could receive a 50% income tax credit for contributions to qualified pregnancy help organizations.

The bill would not provide a tax credit for donations to abortionists or their affiliates.

The State of Arkansas currently provides grant money to pro-life charities that provide women with real options besides abortion. H.B. 1404 would provide a tax incentive for individuals and businesses to donate to these pro-life charities as well.

You Can Read H.B. 1404 Here.

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

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.

The Following Senators Voted FOR S.B. 98

  • J. Boyd
  • J. Bryant
  • Crowell
  • B. Davis
  • J. Dismang
  • J. English
  • Flippo
  • Hester
  • Irvin
  • M. Johnson
  • G. Leding
  • M. McKee
  • Stone
  • D. Sullivan
  • D. Wallace

The Following Senators Voted AGAINST S.B. 98

  • A. Clark
  • Dees
  • S. Flowers
  • Gilmore
  • Hickey
  • Hill
  • F. Love
  • J. Payton
  • C. Penzo
  • Rice
  • J. Scott
  • G. Stubblefield

The Following Senators Did Not Vote

  • Caldwell
  • J. Dotson
  • K. Hammer
  • B. Johnson
  • B. King
  • R. Murdock
  • J. Petty
  • C. Tucker

Arkansas House Rejects Bill to Expand Alcohol Content in Beer

On Monday the House of Representatives rejected a bill expanding alcohol content in beer and malt beverages in Arkansas.

H.B. 1173 by Rep. Matt Brown (R — Conway) and Sen. Scott Flippo (R — Bull Shoals) raises the legal alcohol content for beer from 5% to 14% alcohol by weight, and it allows malt beverages to contain up to 21% alcohol by weight. Under this measure, beer could contain nearly three times as much alcohol as it currently does.

The bill passed the House Rules Committee last week, but it failed in the Arkansas House of Representatives, where only 36 members voted for the bill on Monday.

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.

The Following Representatives Voted FOR H.B. 1173

  • Achor
  • F. Allen
  • Andrews
  • Beck
  • K. Brown
  • M. Brown
  • N. Burkes
  • Clowney
  • Dalby
  • Eaton
  • Eubanks
  • K. Ferguson
  • Furman
  • D. Garner
  • Gramlich
  • Hall
  • Hollowell
  • L. Johnson
  • Long
  • Lynch
  • Magie
  • McCollum
  • B. McKenzie
  • J. Moore
  • Nazarenko
  • Painter
  • Perry
  • Pilkington
  • J. Richardson
  • Schulz
  • R. Scott Richardson
  • T. Shephard
  • M. Shepherd
  • Steimel
  • Walker
  • Warren

The Following Representatives Voted AGAINST H.B. 1173

  • Barnes
  • Barnett
  • Beaty Jr.
  • A. Brown
  • R. Burkes
  • Joey Carr
  • Cavenaugh
  • A. Collins
  • C. Cooper
  • Cozart
  • Crawford
  • Duke
  • Ennett
  • Gazaway
  • Henley
  • Hudson
  • Jean
  • Ladyman
  • Lundstrum
  • Maddox
  • J. Mayberry
  • McAlindon
  • McCullough
  • M. McElroy
  • McGrew
  • McGruder
  • McNair
  • S. Meeks
  • Milligan
  • K. Moore
  • Puryear
  • Ray
  • Rose
  • Rye
  • Steele
  • Torres
  • Tosh
  • Unger
  • Vaught
  • D. Whitaker
  • Womack
  • Wooldridge
  • Wooten
  • Gonzales Worthen

The Following Representatives Voted “Present” on H.B. 1173

  • Barker
  • Bentley
  • S. Berry
  • Brooks
  • John Carr
  • Childress
  • Eaves
  • Gonzales
  • Hawk
  • Holcomb
  • Pearce
  • Richmond
  • Underwood
  • Wing

The Following Representatives Did Not Vote

  • Breaux
  • Duffield
  • Evans
  • McClure
  • Springer
  • Wardlaw

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