Developments at the Legislature

By Larry Page, Executive Director • Arkansas Faith & Ethics Council

The General Assembly is at about the midpoint in its current session. The following are some of the more important measures we are following. I will be as brief as possible, but I will share more details about any of these at your request. The first two are new bills added to our watch list:

• House Bill 1610 — This bill is the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act. Currently, abortion is prohibited in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency. “Medical emergency” is defined as a life-threatening condition requiring an abortion to prevent the woman’s death. The bill makes it clear that “medical emergency” means the pregnant woman’s life is in danger due to a physical disorder, illness or injury, including conditions arising from the pregnancy. The bill also sets out that abortion is not an option when there are other ways to save the life of the mother or the child. This bill will be heard in the House Health Committee.

• House Bill 1615 — This bill concerns religious nondiscrimination. It will prohibit government discrimination against religious organizations based on their religious identity or conduct. It will ensure that faith-based adoption and foster care providers remain free to serve children in need. It will also prohibit the government from discriminating against certain individuals and organizations because of their beliefs regarding marriage or gender. It will prevent the government or a private party, through litigation, from compelling individuals and organizations to engage in conduct that conflicts with their beliefs.

• Senate Bill 223 — This bill is intended to enumerate and guarantee several religious rights for students attending public schools. Some of those rights include praying silently or aloud, individually or in groups, forming and participating in religious clubs in the same manner other clubs or groups can function and expressing a religious viewpoint in the same manner other viewpoints can be expressed. There are several other religious rights students will enjoy listed in the bill. This bill passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.

• House Bill 1306 — This bill would provide civil immunity — not criminal immunity — to churches and to their volunteers who “provide safety, security, or protection for a church... as authorized by the church.” The immunity is only available to security personnel who receive mandatory security training from the church. Immunity is not available for acts or omissions due to intentional, reckless or grossly negligent conduct. This bill will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee this week or next week.

• House Bill 1173 — This bill will dramatically increase the percentage of alcohol permitted in beer sold in grocery and convenience stores. Currently, the percentage is set at 5% alcohol by weight; this bill will increase that to 14% alcohol by weight. Cold beer is sold in grocery stores and convenience stores. It is common for drivers to consume the cold beer purchased at a store. The evidence is clear by all the beer cans we see on the shoulders and ditches along our highways. These drivers may down two or three of the 5% beers and get a good buzz. What will happen when those two or three beers contain 14% alcohol? Impaired drivers, DWI arrests and mayhem, injury and death on our highways will be some of the results. This bill was defeated in the House of Representatives in its first shot at passage; however, sponsors can bring a bill back for another vote. We must assume it can come back, so we need to continue to monitor it.

• House Bill 1011 — This bill is entitled the “Restore Roe Act.” It is an extreme measure that would set the clock back on our state’s abortion laws. It would essentially return us to the standards prior to the Dobbs decision that reversed the Roe v. Wade decision in a stunning move by the U.S. Supreme Court. We will vigorously oppose this measure to retain our very strong pro-life standards, which we all have worked so hard to achieve. No action has been taken on this bill to date.

• House Bills 1634 and 1004 — These bills are the “Sports Raffle Acts,” which would permit colleges and universities or a nonprofit organization affiliated with the school to conduct a raffle in conjunction with the school’s sporting event. The school could utilize the proceeds for several purposes, including, and probably most importantly to the bills’ supporters, additional funds to provide financial assistance to student-athletes. House Bill 1044 failed to win approval in the House Rules Committee. The sponsor will make another run to get a do-pass recommendation for it or House Bill 1634 from the Rules Committee.

Let me encourage you to do a couple of things. First, we would like to hear your thoughts about these issues. Secondly, let your state representative or senator know how you feel about any that resonate with you and how you would like them to handle your concerns.

Thanks for your participation in good government. It works best when we get involved, have our voices heard and our preferences known. Let me encourage you to do a couple of things. First, we want to hear your thoughts about these issues. Contact us at llp@arfaith.org or (501) 837-1688. Secondly, let your state representative or senator know how you feel about any issues that resonate with you and how you would like them to handle your concerns.

To identify your state senator and get contact information for him or her, take the following steps:

• Go to senate.arkansas.gov

• On the Senate’s home page, click on the green box that says Find My Senator.

• On the page it takes you to, type in your address and click on Search.

• Your senator’s name and contact information will appear.

To identify your state representative and get contact information for him or her, take the following steps:

• Go to arkansashouse.org.

• On the house’s home page, click on Find Your Representative.

• On the page it takes you to, type in your address and click on Search.

• Your representative’s name and contact information will appear in a box.

• For an email address, click on “Full profile,” and on the page it takes you to, scroll to the bottom for the email address.

You can call the Senate switchboard at (501) 682-2902 and the House of Representatives at (501) 682-6211 during regular office hours and leave a message for your legislator requesting support or opposition to a bill under deliberation. Please use the bill number when conveying this information or describe the issue sufficiently.