House Resolutions honor blues legend Bobby Rush and civil rights icon Daisy Bates

By The Arkansas Black Vitality Staff

Feb. 24, 2025 – During the six weeks of the 95^th Arkansas General Assembly, over 130 bills were signed into law, including the controversial Senate Bill 3, which banned discrimination or preferential treatment based on race or gender by state, local, or public agencies in Arkansas.

Sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, SB3 allows people to sue for injunctive relief, court costs, and attorney’s fees if they believe their rights have been impacted. Anyone knowingly violating the act would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

The law was enacted on Feb. 18 and signed into law by Gov. Sarah Sanders as Act 116. It aligns the state of Arkansas with President Trump’s federal approach to removing “diversity, equity, and inclusion” from state regulations.

Among several key provisions, the new 14-page law would rewrite the state procurement requirements, stripping language requiring minority participation or adopting an equal opportunity hiring program designed to increase the percentage of minority employees.

The bill would also eliminate required minority recruitment, retention, and reporting plans from public school districts and higher education institutions statewide. It also changes the name of the Board of Education’s Critical Needs Minority Teacher Scholarship program, which provides financial assistance to recruit applicants to areas of the state with a critical shortage of teachers, including the Arkansas Delta region. The program removes the “minority” designation and opens the program up to all applicants.

In a lighter moment at the Arkansas capitol, state lawmakers also approved House Resolution 1038, which recognizes former Pine Bluff native and blues legend Bobby Rush for his contributions to music and the state of Arkansas. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Duffield, R-Russellville, HR1038, was read and adopted in the House chamber on Feb. 18.

Rush, who lived in Arkansas during his teenage years, is a Grammy Award-winning musician and inductee into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. A year ago, the Mississippi legislature also passed a resolution honoring the blues giant born in Homer, La.

State lawmakers, public officials, and constituents also celebrated Daily Bates Day on Feb. 19. Daisy Bates Day, established by the Arkansas General Assembly in 2001, made Arkansas one of the first states to honor a civil rights activist with a state holiday. This event is celebrated each year on the third Monday of February. 

In 2019, the General Assembly passed a law to replace the National Statuary Hall Collection collections with statues of Bates and Arkansas rockabilly legend Johnny Cash. With members of her family in the House chamber, the lower chamber adopted HR1025 by Rep. Tracy Steele, D-North Little Rock, on Feb. 17, honoring Bates’ life and legacy. Resolutions for Rush and Bates do not have the force of law but express the will and views of the Arkansas legislature.

In other legislative news, the Arkansas General Assembly approved two significant bills to support Arkansas students. Act 123 ensures that every student in Arkansas public schools receives one free breakfast every school day, regardless of their eligibility for federal meal programs. Act 122, also known as the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, prohibits students from using cell phones and personal electronic devices during school hours, with a few exceptions.

Gov. Sanders also signed into law the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act. Act 124 is a $45.3 million investment to expand healthcare access for pregnant women

Also, the House passed SB98, which allows third-party delivery services to transport alcoholic beverages from certain retailers. The bill includes guidelines for the permit process and the responsibilities of retailers. Additionally, SB97 was passed, allowing businesses to own up to three retail liquor licenses, provided these licenses are in different counties, each with a population of 200,000 or more.

The House also advanced several bills focused on teacher retirement. HB1161 permits members to purchase partial years of service credit for gap years, a provision previously unavailable. HB1156 shortens the waiting period for a new spouse to be eligible for survivor benefits from two years to one year following the member’s death.

Further, the House passed HB1258, which establishes the Community Health Worker Act and creates a statewide certification for community health workers. SB137, which was also approved, enables healthcare providers to store medical records electronically.

HB1131, passed by the House, grants advanced practice registered nurses the authority to delegate certain nursing tasks to qualified healthcare workers.

The House passed HB1475, a bill that authorizes roadway construction or maintenance vehicles to use green lights.

SB214, also approved by the House, adds second-degree murder to the list of offenses that disqualify an individual from meritorious furlough.

Lastly, HB1437, which restricts level 3 and level 4 sex offenders from coming within 100 feet of water parks, swimming areas, children’s playgrounds, or public parks, was passed by the House.

To watch all House meetings, visit arkansashouse.org.