State Lawmakers Pass Bill That Could Expand Public Drinking in Arkansas

Alcohol, Public Drinking,

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

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Senate Committee Passes Bill That Could Expand Public Drinking in Arkansas

Alcohol, Public Drinking, ,
Above: Sen. McKee presents H.B. 1024 that could expand public drinking in Arkansas.

On Tuesday a bill that could expand public drinking in “entertainment districts” in Arkansas passed in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.

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 communities 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.

H.B. 1024 previously failed in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.

However, Sen. McKee brought the bill back up for consideration during Tuesday’s committee meeting, and it passed.

Public drinking is a scourge in our state, and H.B. 1024 eliminates an important restriction on communities that conduct public drinking in entertainment districts.

H.B. 1024 now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.

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

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Bill That Could Expand Public Drinking Fails in Senate Committee

Alcohol, Public Drinking, ,
Above: Family Council staff member Luke McCoy testifies against H.B. 1024 in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.

On Tuesday a bill that could expand public drinking in “entertainment districts” in Arkansas failed to pass in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.

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 make sure that communities establish “entertainment districts” in areas 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.

On Tuesday H.B. 1024 was presented in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee. Following testimony from members of the public and questions from the senators, the bill failed by a vote of four to four.

The bill could be presented in the committee again at a later date.

Public drinking is a scourge in our state, and we are grateful to the members of the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee for rejecting this bill that could expand public drinking in cities and towns across Arkansas.

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

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