Senate approves SB3 limiting race‑based preferences in state hiring, procurement and higher education

The Arkansas State Senate on Jan. 29, 2025 passed Senate Bill 3, a measure that prohibits state and public entities from providing preferential treatment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity or national origin in state procurement, hiring and higher education, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Sandra Sullivan, said on the Senate floor.

Senator Sandra Sullivan said the measure “only affects procurement, hiring, and higher ed. That's all it affects,” and told colleagues the draft strikes language she said required affirmative‑action programs and replaces several references to “minority” with the broader phrase “critical needs.” The chamber voted 24 yes, 7 no, with 2 not voting and 2 present; the bill was ordered transmitted to the House.

Supporters framed SB3 as enforcing a merit‑based standard for public employment and contracts. Sullivan told the Senate the measure preserves veterans' preferences, narrows the protected characteristics addressed to race, color, ethnicity and national origin, and creates criminal and civil accountability for knowing violations. She said the bill removes reporting and planning requirements tied to affirmative‑action programs and that the measure aligns Arkansas policy with recent presidential executive actions noted by the sponsor.

Opponents said SB3 would eliminate longstanding, narrowly tailored programs designed to expand opportunity and retain students and workers from groups historically underrepresented in state…