Arkansas House Rejects Bill to Expand Alcohol Content in Beer

Alcohol,

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.

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Lawmaker Withdraws Bill Concerning Acts of Negligence by Healthcare Professionals

Legislation, , , ,

Last Tuesday Rep. Lee Johnson (R — Greenwood) withdrew a bill that dealt with criminal liability for negligence and misconduct by healthcare professionals.

Right now if someone is harmed because of a healthcare professional’s negligence or misconduct, authorities can investigate the situation, and prosecutors can take appropriate action.

H.B. 1168 was a bill similar to legislation that other states have proposed to protect healthcare professionals from being prosecuted for honest mistakes. But H.B. 1168 was drafted in such a way that its wording could have made it difficult to prosecute healthcare workers who deliberately hurt another person. Fortunately, Rep. Johnson took the time to listen to people with concerns about the way the bill was drafted, and he chose to withdraw it from the legislature.

It’s important to protect good healthcare professionals, but our laws need to hold bad actors accountable as well. That is part of the reason Family Council has consistently opposed legislation that would shield nursing homes and similar facilities when their negligence harms or kills another person.

Family Council deeply appreciates Rep. Johnson taking the time to listen to Arkansans who had concerns about unintended consequences H.B. 1168 might have caused, and we support his decision to withdraw the bill from consideration.

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

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Banking on Freedom: Bill Blocks State Investments Linked to China

China, Legislation,

Legislation filed at the Arkansas Capitol last week would prevent some state funds from being invested in organizations associated with China.

The state legislature has worked repeatedly to protect Arkansans from the Chinese Communist Party and entities closely tied to it.

For example, in 2023 lawmakers passed Act 636 to prohibit a “foreign-party controlled business” from acquiring public or private land in Arkansas. The law helps prevent companies owned or controlled by the CCP from buying property in Arkansas — such as Arkansas’ farmland.

In July of 2020 FBI Director Christopher Wray gave a report on the threat China poses, saying, “If you are an American adult, it is more likely than not that China has stolen your personal data.”

In 2021 the U.S. Senate passed a measure intended to clamp down on Chinese propaganda on America’s college campuses.

And in 2022 U.S. Sen. Cotton sent a letter to state and county officials warning them, “I have good reason to believe that the Chinese Communist Party may seek to enlist state and local officials to influence my actions in Congress.”

From forced abortion and organ harvesting to “reeducation camps” and subverting free speech, China’s track record has been abysmal — and many Americans are concerned.

H.B. 1323 by Rep. Mindy McAlindon (R — Centerton) prohibits Arkansas’ public pension and retirement system from investing in entities closely connected with the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.

The measure does not affect private investments.

The bill could help Arkansas avoid financial ties with companies affiliated with the Chinese government and China’s communist party. You Can Read H.B. 1323 Here.

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

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