Arkansas Legislature – Page 68

Committee Passes Measure Establishing Day of Prayer

Apr 13, 2021Jerry CoxPrayerArkansas Legislature, Prayer

*Sen. Hill presents S.B. 662 in committee.*

On Monday the Senate Education Committee passed S.B. 662.

This good bill by Sen. Ricky Hill (R – Cabot) and Rep. Cameron Cooper (R – Romance) establishes a Day of Prayer for Arkansas Students.

S.B. 662 calls on the citizens of the state to “pray, meditate, or otherwise reflect upon” students, teachers, school administrators, and schools” on the last Wednesday of September every year.

The bill now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.

Read S.B. 662 Here.

Senate Committee Passes Pro-Life Resolution

Apr 13, 2021Jerry CoxAbortionAbortion, Arkansas Legislature

On Monday the Senate Public Health Committee passed H.C.R. 1007.

This good resolution by Rep. Jim Wooten (R – Beebe) and Sen. Jason Rapert (R – Conway) recognizes January 22 — the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade abortion decision — as “The Day of Tears” in Arkansas.

Alabama passed a similar resolution last month.

H.C.R. 1007 acknowledges the 61 million of unborn babies killed in abortion in America over the past five decades, and encourages Arkansans to lower their flags to half-staff on January 22 to mourn the innocent children who have lost their lives.

Read The Resolution Here.

Updated: Arkansas House of Representatives Passes Bad “Hate Crimes” Measure

Apr 12, 2021Jerry CoxHate CrimesArkansas Legislature, Hate Crimes

On Monday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed S.B. 622, a bad bill widely being referred to as a “hate crimes” measure. The measure passed by a vote of 65 to 26. The bill previously passed the Arkansas Senate.

As we have written repeatedly, S.B. 622 is so ambiguous that it’s impossible to know just how far-reaching this legislation may be.

The bill fails to define crucial terms like ‘recognizable and identifiable.’

Its protections for religious liberty are inadequate.

It does not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent cities and counties from enacting their own, more stringent hate crimes ordinances.

It does not do enough to protect free speech or prevent thought-policing.

The bill now goes to Governor Asa Hutchinson.

Below is a breakdown of the vote on S.B. 622.