Updated: Arkansas House of Representatives Passes Bad “Hate Crimes” Measure
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.
Voted FOR S.B. 622
- F. Allen
- Barker
- S. Berry
- M. Berry
- Boyd
- Bragg
- Breaux
- Brooks
- Brown
- Cavenaugh
- Christiansen
- Coleman
- Cozart
- Dalby
- Deffenbaugh
- Dotson
- Eaves
- Eubanks
- Evans
- K. Ferguson
- D. Ferguson
- Fielding
- C. Fite
- L. Fite
- Fortner
- Gonzales
- M. Gray
- Haak
- Hawks
- Hillman
- Holcomb
- Hollowell
- Jean
- Jett
- L. Johnson
- Ladyman
- Lundstrum
- Lynch
- Maddox
- Magie
- McClure
- McCollum
- M. McElroy
- McGrew
- McNair
- S. Meeks
- Milligan
- Nicks
- Penzo
- Perry
- Pilkington
- Richmond
- Rye
- Shepherd
- Slape
- S. Smith
- Tollett
- Tosh
- Underwood
- Vaught
- Wardlaw
- Warren
- Watson
- Wing
- Wooten
Voted AGAINST S.B. 622
- Bryant
- Carr
- Cloud
- Clowney
- A. Collins
- Crawford
- Ennett
- V. Flowers
- D. Garner
- Gazaway
- Godfrey
- M. Hodges
- Hudson
- Love
- Lowery
- McCullough
- McKenzie
- Miller
- Ray
- Richardson
- Scott
- B. Smith
- Speaks
- Springer
- D. Whitaker
- Womack
Voted “Present”
- Beatty Jr.
- Bentley
- C. Cooper
- J. Mayberry
- Murdock
Did Not Vote
- Beck
- M. Davis
- Furman
- Payton
