Arkansas House Passes Bill to Address Deceptive, Misleading Ballot Measures

Legislation,

On Wednesday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed a measure to help clarify state law concerning deceptively worded ballot measures.

The Arkansas Constitution lets canvassers circulate petitions to place measures on a general election ballot. Its original intent was to give citizens a way to function as a “legislative body.” Unfortunately, powerful special interests have used the initiative process to put flawed, misleading, and deceptive measures on the ballot in Arkansas.

H.B. 1713 by Rep. Ryan Rose (R — Van Buren) and Sen. Mark Johnson (R — Little Rock) requires ballot initiative titles to be written at or below an eighth grade reading level.

A ballot title is supposed to accurately summarize a measure so voters can decide if they support or oppose it. If a ballot title is misleading, complicated, or poorly written, voters may not understand what a measure would do.

H.B. 1713 is similar to legislation enacted in other states to help make sure ballot titles are easy for voters to read and understand. This will help address deceptive or misleading ballot initiatives in Arkansas.

Arkansas’ ballot initiative process has become the opposite of what it was intended to be, and if lawmakers do not act soon, the problem is simply going to get worse.

H.B. 1713 now goes to the 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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Senate Committee Advances Bill to Protect Physical Privacy, Safety in Arkansas

Legislation,

On Thursday, the Senate State Agencies Committee passed S.B. 486 by Sen. Blake Johnson (R — Corning) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville).

This good bill protects physical privacy and safety of Arkansans in showers, locker rooms, changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters in government buildings and in state and local jails.

The bill also applies to changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters in shelters for victims of domestic violence.

S.B. 486 is similar to a law Arkansas passed in 2023 to protect privacy in public schools and on overnight school trips.

The bill would require the facilities named in the bill to be designated for “male” or “female” use. The measure generally requires people to use the facility that corresponds to their biological sex.

Over the years, we have seen efforts to house men with women in jails, let men stay in women’s shelters, and give men access to women’s changing areas, locker rooms, showers, and restrooms.

S.B. 486 is common sense legislation narrowly tailored to protect physical privacy and safety in public buildings and shelters in Arkansas.

The bill 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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House Committee Passes Good Bill Affirming Religious Freedom at Public Schools

Legislation,

On Tuesday the House Education Committee passed S.B. 223, the Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025.

This good bill by Sen. Mark Johnson (R — Little Rock) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R — Heber Springs) affirms public school students’ and teachers’ religious liberties.

The bill identifies and upholds religious freedoms that are already protected by state and federal law — such as the right to pray, discuss religion, or read the Bible during free time at school.

The bill also helps make sure that religious expression is treated equally to other types of speech at school.

This will help prevent schools from squelching anyone’s religious liberties.

When it comes to religious liberty, public schools have been a battleground for more than 60 years. It’s important that we stand up for religious freedom at school. S.B. 223 is a good bill that helps do exactly that.

The bill now goes to the entire Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.

You can read the Religious Rights at Public Schools Act here.

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

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