Senate advances right to bear arms amendment; Senate leader says prison funding likely stalled

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Senate voted 28-7 Thursday (April 10) to advance a proposed constitutional amendment to protect the right to keep and bear arms.

SJR 11, by Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, 14 other senators and 47 state representatives, would provide that “citizens of the state of Arkansas shall have the right to keep and bear arms for their common defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose; providing that the right to keep and bear arms includes without limitation the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components; and providing that the right to keep and bear arms is a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed.”

The proposed amendment could be the second amendment that state lawmakers in the 95th General Assembly refer to voters for the 2026 general election. They are allowed to refer up to three proposals.

Senate advances right to bear arms amendment; Senate leader says prison funding likely stalled

Arkansas bill restricting transgender adults’ bathroom use will be amended, returned to committee

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas legislators will amend a proposed law that would make it a crime if an adult “knowingly exposes his or her sex organs to a minor of the opposite sex” in a public restroom or changing room.

Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn), the sponsor of Senate Bill 270, pulled the bill from consideration on the Senate floor Wednesday in order to clarify some of the language.

Adults who enter and remain in a facility that does not align with their gender assigned at birth would risk criminal charges of sexual indecency with a child if they are aware that minors are present, the bill states.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-02/arkansas-bill-restricting-transgender-adults-bathroom-use-will-be-amended-returned-to-committee

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) explains his opposition to Senate Bill 270 before the full Senate on March 1, 2023. The bill would make it a crime of sexual indecency with a child if a person enters and remains in a restroom that does not align with their biological sex when children are present.

Arkansas bill restricting bathroom access in presence of minors advances

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Another bill aimed at restricting bathroom use in Arkansas has gained approval from a legislative panel.

Members of the Senate Judiciary committee on Monday voted along party lines in favor of Senate Bill 270, which would make it a crime for Arkansans to linger in a restroom or changing room inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth if a minor is present.

Bill sponsor Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, said it would only apply to adults who “knowingly remain” in a shared facility in which others, including minors, could be expected to be in various states of undress.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-02-27/arkansas-bill-restricting-bathroom-access-in-presence-of-minors-advances

Arkansas Legislature

Jessica Disney (right) speaks against Senate Bill 270 in a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday as the bill's sponsor, Sen. John Payton, looks on.