[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6097525,"mediaKeyId","2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3","parentId",2828031,"title","Senate session roundup: key votes and next steps (March 25, 2025)","audioSeconds",1456,"startMs",2322000,"endMs",3778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3&start=2322&end=3778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3/thumbnail_2322000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097525/Arkansas/Senate-session-roundup-key-votes-and-next-steps-March-25-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097525-66c97ea44db3c06bdbc54f42f7ce7877/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587893&Signature=fHEj~qHU~xRnj8CVLcXvjjPA90uAoKdJ1tqGOJWfmlKWxcm~oGAx6~eQTupisGjw4W3ot5aKKe4ZxsNCBwxry31weC4B3abru50b7apD34MQymAfPmkrzf-TgvKNjHqZljoCmxOWy0SetUWKLveI6Ef6-arn3ZnrLUKmd0YGYjETrUug~YVYdrG6NPKDJwvVns73ww3ME-KxisAlznFdEqEvLE03S7xa7PiohxMteSJmlQ3v13hDV0AzBFN5wt2~86430En2eQhWO6y6Jn7vXebCIJuFoCg~47DbxfJkBGsgrTUh8SygFwxy1fqBJVrUOgZBmciOlGOTRyWMHoPPvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas State Legislature","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Arkansas State Senate conducted an extended floor session on March 25, considering a wide range of legislation. Below are the recorded roll-call outcomes for bills acted on that had final votes on the floor that day, with brief context where debate occurred.

Votes at a glance

- SB9 — Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act (ban potassium bromate and propylparaben). Vote: 28 yea, 4 nay, 2 present. Outcome: passed; transmitted to the House. Sponsor: Senator Davis. Effective date in bill: Jan. 1, 2028.

- SB238 (Senate bill 2 38) — Amend the Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act (broaden fee base; adjust fees). Vote: 22 yea, 7 nay. Outcome: passed; transmitted to House. Sponsor: Senator Payton. Floor debate addressed fee mechanics, DEQ reimbursement and abatement estimates.

- SB325 — Juvenile-code and child-maltreatment registry reforms. Vote: 27 yea, 3 nay, 1 not voting, 3 present. Outcome: passed; transmitted to House. Sponsor: Senator Clark.

- SB326 — Companion juvenile-code bill (FINS filing, neglect definitions, placement rules). Vote: 30 yea, 3 nay, 1 present. Outcome: passed; transmitted to House. Sponsor: Senator Clark.

- SB348 (SB 3 48) — Increase Medicaid diagnostic lab reimbursement cap for pain-management monitoring. Vote: 32 yea, 0 nay, 2 present. Outcome: passed; emergency clause adopted.

- SB410 (SB 4 10) — Post-employment disclosure for former state employees and officials (post-reporting/SFI expansion). Final recorded vote: 17 yea, 8 nay, 7 not voting, 2 present → failed. Sponsor: Senator King. Senate later moved to expunge that vote.

- SB463 (SB 4 63) — Require Public Service Commission approval or denial of settlements that close generation or transmission assets. Vote: 34 yea, 0 nay. Outcome: passed; transmitted to House. Sponsor: Senator McKee.

- HB1669 — \"Keep Kids First\" (protect foster/adopt placements consistent with sincerely held religious beliefs). Final recorded vote failed on the floor after heated debate; recorded tally was 15 yea, 10 nay (the Senate later voted to expunge that tally). Outcome: failed on the floor during the session; sponsors indicated continued interest in the subject.

- Multiple additional bills and resolutions were adopted or transmitted to the House in bulk during the morning and calendar calls (including resolutions honoring school sports teams and confirmations of enrolled bills delivered to the governor). See the committee messages and engrossment reports on the Senate calendar for a complete list.

What’s next

Passed bills will be transmitted to the House for consideration, and implementing agencies (for example, DFA, DEQ, DHS and Medicaid) will need to draft administrative guidance or rules for operational items referenced on the floor. For failed or contentious measures (notably HB 16 69 and SB 4 10), sponsors indicated plans for additional work or future filings.

Ending: This roundup captures roll-call outcomes and immediate floor-level next steps. For agency-specific implementation, reporters and stakeholders should consult DFA, DEQ, DHS and the Senate clerk’s office for copies of enrolled bills and fiscal notes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle"," SENATE CONVENES 3/31/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Arkansas Senate handled dozens of bills across health, environment, finance and child welfare on March 25; this roundup lists floor outcomes and brief context for measures that received recorded votes.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",16120,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097531,"Senate rejects 'Keep Kids First' adoption-and-foster bill after extended debate",1355,9530000,10885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3&start=9530&end=10885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3/thumbnail_9530000.jpg","/articles/6097531/Arkansas/Senate-rejects-Keep-Kids-First-adoption-and-foster-bill-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097531-a5ac123e2b76f5a67be0eadf48404609/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587893&Signature=mip-kEUbJrtM8yguMNKiRt7GJjHvDHatlNbqppM~alJhwKh37KXpm-o6SmNpOMY3TdWhHyTDV1A1txAtgC-Apas-iyoLkXzABC7x4hLZKsgb94ZYJwFCFzMLw1kxxSKbr5Fyv-d1LtY08FTk-cvygo0PesJsOw74G1UK5ts0n0GxeXaH7YrTyeXVRKSVLjFrjSrIGtNOOABtlKyYcnHXBG7Wp5KwbOa3CpfRkWMrdd8hKsFMIiG7B7Uww8-vK-Uu1Ya6OhbSmaDRP4M~2T2875exIOmgYAIBKO2yUjzs7yAo9ZbsBcjYvKtbDD9~jgB-JW5C0hSnhjcCLDxfnYVWfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arkansas Senate debated House Bill 16 69 — titled in debate as the \"Keep Kids First Act\" — at length on March 25 before voting to reject the measure. The bill sought to bar adverse state action against foster or adoptive parents and private child-placement agencies acting in ways consistent with \"sincerely held religious beliefs,\" and to prevent certain forms of administrative or fiscal discrimination.

Sponsor Senator Clark described the bill as protecting faith-based placement agencies and religious parents from being excluded on the basis of beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity. Clark said it would not change the judicial \"best interest of the child\" standard and that courts could still prioritize placements of children with families sharing a child’s religious background when relevant.

Opponents and questioning senators pressed on drafting breadth and practical effects. Senator McKee and others asked how the bill would guard children from placements by adults whose religious practices or beliefs might themselves present safety concerns; Senator Dismang and Senator Tucker said the measure risked authorizing defenses that could shield harmful behavior. Senator Tucker cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision (Fulton v. City of Philadelphia) in the floor debate noting the national litigation context but argued the state action in Arkansas was not a pressing issue requiring the measure.

The first recorded floor vote failed 15-10; the Senate then voted to expunge that tally. The measure did not pass following the recorded action during the floor session.

Ending: Sponsors said the bill was intended to preserve faith-based placements and guard against de facto exclusions. Critics said the language is broad, could create child-safety risks or proper-defense loopholes, and that existing law and court decisions already protect religious exercise. The Senate’s failure to adopt the measure ends that statutory push this session, though sponsors flagged future work on the topic.","After extended floor debate, the Senate voted down House Bill 16 69 — the Keep Kids First Act — which would have protected foster/adoption providers and parents from adverse government action for acting consistent with sincerely held religious beliefs; opponents raised child-protection and drafting concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097536,"Senate approves companion juvenile-code bills to ease reinstatement and narrow maltreatment registry entries",592,3797000,4389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3&start=3797&end=4389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3/thumbnail_3797000.jpg","/articles/6097536/Arkansas/Senate-approves-companion-juvenile-code-bills-to-ease-reinstatement-and-narrow-maltreatment-registry-entries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097536-1d704a274895019ad8391dbf253c199c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587893&Signature=c9~pNvoyJArOfYVhzl2qcix0l5Y3G3e7TQ2uz1pLbNOxRM6SYU9CrCIL1k~uBEIlbwf4KtEw---JeYWL~SUSA6Kw015BkbLbwB2AlIrxgVPKG7R8yr3fNn4Jc1y2DsEto-DODcW0oX1MpM8lXjPTADgE4TrUJizLKU3XosN4JTrdY9PAHYHQBkGRDOu6xpnyRvC1NLs9otBTuzKA6pKi2MWq7-bwJO~bC-jp3fiGYl4MAlb3-8PEkdGPXHKeydpSINAy8~fOYsxoxW~bNo6Z0ncyrqnDg7CdHplW47PdA4AzqDpugSJ-MPegURve7Tzu2q8sVA~r3ZVKivi~XIq1Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arkansas Senate on March 25 approved two companion bills, SB 325 and SB 326, aimed at reforming juvenile-code procedures and the child-maltreatment registry. Sponsors presented the package as technically focused changes meant to help children languishing in the system and to limit registry entries when reunification has been successful.

Sponsor Senator Clark told colleagues that SB 325 would allow parents whose parental rights were terminated an additional option to petition for reinstatement earlier — moving the earliest possible petition from three years to two years after termination — for children who remain in state custody rather than being adopted. Clark said the change was designed for older youth who may remain in foster care and to allow parents who demonstrate substantial change to seek reunification.

SB 325 also proposes reforms to the child-maltreatment registry to emphasize findings of abuse or exploitation and to remove certain neglect entries after one year when reunification has been achieved and no further findings occurred. SB 326 clarifies standards in juvenile proceedings: narrowing who may file a FINS petition, creating clearer statutory definitions of neglect, and allowing prompt placements and limited short-term holds where there is immediate danger.

Committee testimony and floor remarks indicated little organized opposition. Senators discussed safeguards; proponents stressed that reinstatement would remain a strict, judicially supervised process that requires parents to prove change and be in the best interest of the child.

Votes: SB 325 passed on the floor by recorded vote (27 yay, 3 nay, 1 not voting, 3 present). SB 326 passed (30 yay, 3 nay, 1 present). Both bills were transmitted to the House.

Ending: Sponsors and supporters described the bills as targeted technical reforms intended to reduce registry overreach while preserving judicial checks and the \"best interest of the child\" standard. Implementation will rely on child-welfare agencies and courts following statutory changes.","SB 325 and SB 326 passed the Senate after sponsors said the measures give parents additional avenues to request reinstatement of parental rights, shorten timelines and narrow child-maltreatment registry entries when reunification succeeds.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097540,"Senate advances measure to expand tire-recycling fee and fund cleanups",483,2512000,2995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3&start=2512&end=2995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3/thumbnail_2512000.jpg","/articles/6097540/Arkansas/Senate-advances-measure-to-expand-tire-recycling-fee-and-fund-cleanups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097540-9dc05d60d13ae59cbb7b6177efbc84bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587893&Signature=YEtE7C0zYHw8xVg005AgJezoz67bUOVo~WvCqGJwJ7Qswc6XsVl0RrEhb7~GX6WMiJosJNuwCeIuCrWJ7clsgI5IXRkhfMasPWV0dnJwR49pIny2bL43MWwwF6bN5nxUYqz3Wi3Bkz1taBHjT1Dlqdbl3QxVLwdutJwwom7x25AMY4vd3GAbNppYwMB5MB5yyogMRInu7FbwF9-wUJBCA98~r-23vFhe26Ooky1z~OmHCGRKFbDF~WgZ7qJLwevkYJGMV6Yd8HmTGXpYZCXViL5kMdbEkQCHfi1iZT4US-PkJSblq6Es9YUem7hX78GgE2mcxCKKAdKFbaCBaJoz2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arkansas Senate on March 25 approved SB 238, a measure to broaden the state’s used-tire recycling fee base and raise revenue for four regional tire districts, processors and cleanup of stockpiles. Sponsor Senator Peyton (Payton in transcript) described the bill as a necessary update to a program lawmakers restructured two years ago.

The nut graf: supporters said the fee expansion—collecting the recycling fee on new tires, and keeping higher fees for extra-large and agricultural tires—will provide a dedicated revenue stream to let districts issue longer-term contracts and attract private capital for processors and collection infrastructure. Opponents and questioning senators pushed for clarity on how excess funds would be used and whether the districts’ governance and procurement rules protect public interest.

On the floor, Senator Payton explained the measure would broaden collection of an existing $3 fee to include tires sold on new automobiles and trailers and return some large-truck fees to $5; ag tires could see district-set fees up to $30. He told senators the current per-tire processing cost averages about $2.80 while the program now collects roughly $2.60 per tire after administrative deductions. Payton also cited DEQ estimates that cleaning identified stockpiles would cost roughly $9.67 per tire.

Questions from colleagues covered fee sunsets, how excess funds would be handled, the role of districts and DEQ’s oversight and whether retailer discretion (the bill contains an 80% tread threshold for not charging the fee on a used tire) was too subjective. Payton said initial funds flow through the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), which retains its administrative percentage, then to the Department of Energy and Environment (DEQ) for program policing and licensing (7% cited) with remaining funds available for reimbursements to processors and for abatement projects.

The Senate adopted the bill on a roll call: 22 yays, 7 nays. Sponsor and supporters framed the measure as cheaper to fund on the front end than to pay for scattered cleanups later.

Ending: The bill directs collection changes and expands district authority to set certain fees; DEQ and DFA roles were described on the floor. The vote sends SB 238 to the House; additional implementation details — including contract terms, business plans and schedule for abatement — will follow in agency rulemaking and district procurement.","Senate Bill 238 (SB 2 38) expands the fee base for Arkansas’ waste tire program, raising revenues to modernize processors, reimburse districts and fund abatement of stockpiles; floor debate centered on fee structure, oversight and uses.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097545,"Senate passes bill to ban two food additives starting 2028",456,1924000,2380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3&start=1924&end=2380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828031-c8e71391715985653cdc228f22f13ec3/thumbnail_1924000.jpg","/articles/6097545/Arkansas/Senate-passes-bill-to-ban-two-food-additives-starting-2028","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097545-3158f029a5d86eba4d1e08471169b9ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587893&Signature=hp5Kf28jZCln03X08DJ5qL89u3snP5ExJuflKXIuDMXABc8GJFulzTXhCNkrp4gL1FWQILppOPoUoAn1thjzWWd0oTuz3ME5JQDTRpVSmcqMpSIZ~FqogtsRDJ79JKUJfW0CHlqLhmEq5USMW1zwEneUqKwfNld4J5lf3qC1vh8vrskW-9wUY9c-s9KeSJNrBkThOVjoJIZyEacDB1SowM~BJA69KvdYNjj7dBHmD8jfwwbxdT4RYGsQr3ToLAczA3qmbIhrrgqY0zk0f-GHQ90kr7c6orqLoaAxExj08v1snqOmRkeHcnIk1c1UVuUekaQn6TRfRTkspF8sN~sAiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arkansas Senate on March 25 approved SB9, the \"Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act,\" a bill that would ban the manufacture, sale, delivery, distribution, holding or offer for sale of food products containing potassium bromate and propylparaben beginning Jan. 1, 2028.

Sponsor Senator Jimmy Dixon (appears as Senator Davis in the transcript) told colleagues the measure targets two additives used in breads, cookie dough and shelf-stable sweets because animal studies and other research raise public-health concerns. He cited potassium bromate’s role in whitening and improving dough performance and noted it is banned in the European Union, Canada and Australia; propylparaben was described as a shelf-life extender found in candies and desserts with potential endocrine-disrupting effects cited in some studies.

The bill’s nut graf: supporters say Arkansas can rely on regulatory and market shifts — particularly California’s prior action — to adopt established standards and improve public health while giving industry a transition window. Opponents raised questions about scope and enforcement during a brief Q&A but offered no sustained floor opposition.

On the floor, sponsor Senator Davis said studies link potassium bromate to kidney and thyroid tumors in animals and described propylparaben as associated in some research with reproductive effects. Senators asked about where similar restrictions exist and about dietary choice; Davis responded that California already has a similar law and that the bill mirrors that framework. He said the federal FDA currently allows many additives and generally only acts when overwhelming evidence emerges.

The Senate rolled the final vote without extended debate. The secretary recorded 28 yays, 4 nays and 2 present. SB9 passed and was transmitted to the House.

Ending: The bill sets an effective date of Jan. 1, 2028. It directs state regulatory and public-health agencies to implement the ban; specific enforcement mechanisms and penalties were not detailed on the Senate floor.","The Arkansas Senate approved SB9 to prohibit manufacture and sale of potassium bromate and propylparaben in food products beginning Jan. 1, 2028, after sponsor Senator Clarke Tucker (Davis in transcript) outlined health concerns cited in other countries.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate session roundup: key votes and next steps (March 25, 2025)

Senate rejects 'Keep Kids First' adoption-and-foster bill after extended debate

Senate approves companion juvenile-code bills to ease reinstatement and narrow maltreatment registry entries

Senate advances measure to expand tire-recycling fee and fund cleanups

Senate passes bill to ban two food additives starting 2028