Recapping the First Week of the 2023 Legislature

By Jerry Cox, President • Family Council

The Arkansas Legislature wrapped up its first week of the 2023 session in Little Rock. Lawmakers have filed several measures as the session gets underway. Below is a quick look back at the week:

Good Bills Filed

• Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R/Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R/Perryville) filed SB 43 prohibiting adult performances — including drag performances — on public property or in view of children.

• Rep. Julie Mayberry (R/Hensley) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R/Mountain View) filed HB 1098 permitting Safe Haven Baby Boxes at volunteer fire stations in Arkansas.

• Rep. Mary Bentley (R/Perryville) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R/Branch) filed HCR 1005 declaring Jan. 16, 2023, “Religious Freedom Day” in Arkansas.

• Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R/Knoxville) filed HB 1006 (Abortion) that would require an employer that covers abortions or travel expenses related to abortions to also provide 16 weeks of paid maternity leave to employees in Arkansas.

• Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R/Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R/Perryville) filed SB 4 (National Security) that restricts access to TikTok on computers, tablets, phones and other devices owned by the State of Arkansas.

Bad Bills Filed

• Rep. David Ray (R/Maumelle) and Sen. Matt McKee (R/Dist. 6) filed HB 1024 (Public Drinking) that would let cities and towns that do not collect advertising and promotion taxes on hotels and restaurants establish entertainment districts where public drinking is legal. This would let communities authorize public drinking in entertainment districts even if the community does not cater toward hospitality and tourism. That has the potential to expand public drinking in Arkansas.

Act 812 of 2019 lets cities and towns create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks. Under Act 812, cities and towns cannot establish a public drinking area unless the community collects advertising and promotion taxes on hotels, motels, restaurants and similar businesses. The tax provision helps make sure that communities establish “entertainment districts” in areas where the hospitality and tourism industry is present. HB 1024 eliminates the provision in Arkansas that restricts public drinking to communities that collect advertising and promotion taxes on hotels and restaurants. Under this bill, communities could authorize public drinking in entertainment districts even if the community does not cater toward hospitality and tourism.

Public drinking raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety. It hurts neighborhoods and families. Arkansans ought to stay away from anything that would expand public drinking in their communities. (familycouncil.org)