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SB3

To Prohibit Discrimination or Preferential Treatment by the State of Arkansas and Other Public Entities.

D. Sullivan · 2025 Regular Session · Notification that SB3 is now Act 116 · Act 116

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TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT BY THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES.

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Said about this bill

83 mentions · 17 meetings · 8 named speakers

2025 Girls State House Meeting

May 29, 2025 · Girls State

Matched: “…re passed in the Senate. How, uh, Senate Bill 2 was passed, Senate Bill 3, Senate Bill 4, set up book 5, set up 6, and Senate Bill 8…”

...rmation on the bills that were passed in senate how uh senate bill 2 was passed senate bill 3 senate bill 4 senate bill 5 senate bill 6 and senate bill 8 was passed but on senate bill 3 the emergency clause did fail we will now go back into...
clause and the bill has passed. Our next order of bills is going to be senate bill number three. Madam Clerk can you
...ing to speak against this bill? Any for this bill? Representative Dalby, do you wish to close for this bill? Question before the House is the passage of Senate bill number three. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Cast up

Judiciary Committee- House

April 1, 2025 · Judiciary Committee (House)

Matched: “…gislature championed earlier this session when it supported Senate Bill 3, now act 116. During the debates and I was”

...B 1615. It's a bill that fundamentally contradicts the principles that this legislature championed earlier this session when it supported Senate Bill 3, now Act 116. During the debates, and I was involved in many of them over Senate Bill 3,
Gail Choate · 21:03 in the video
...hould be judged on their own merit, The same principle that was used to justify Senate Bill 3, which is now Act 116. We can't have it both ways. If this legislature truly believes that identity should not be a factor in determining opportun...
Gail Choate · 22:42 in the video

Senate Convenes

April 1, 2025

Matched: “…gton 368 by Centra Irving. Senate Bill 378 by Senator Carl, Senate Bill 3. by central curls Senate Bill 388 by Senator Cross, Senate…”

Central Irvington 368 by Centra Irving. Senate Bill 378 by Senator Carl, Senate Bill 3. by central curls Senate Bill 388 by Senator Cross, Senate Bill 4 won by Senator Bowen, 403 by Senator Tucker. 414 by Senator Hammerson 432 by Senator Pe...

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs-Senate

March 11, 2025 · State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (Senate)

Matched: “…, and this bill is sort of a companion to Senator. Sullivan SB 3, which addressed primarily”

...t, no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal equal protection of the laws. Basically, um, these quotas are unconstitutional, and this bill is sort of a companion to Senator. Sullivan SB 3, which addressed primarily
Representative Matt Brown · 1:19 in the video
Senator Sullivan, you got a question. Uh, just an addition Senate Bill 3. It.
Senator Dan Sullivan · 3:44 in the video
... um. This bill, of course, as the representative pointed out builds on what was SB 3, what is now Act 116 to remove invidious sex-based and race-based discrimination that exists in government function in Arkansas. Um, I am remiss for not re...
the DEA legislation that we've debated. I actually think this is the worst. Senate Bill 3. We're talking about um opportunities for people, and we have a philosophical disagreement about that, and and that's OK, but the Senate Bill 3 is say...
Senator Clarke Tucker · 22:41 in the video
Senator. All right, so we do have a Senator Sullivan, you're recognized. Yeah, SB 3 is now Act 116, and one of the reasons that the author of 116 left this issue out. I, I agree it doesn't cover that necessarily, and I think that's the reas...
Senator Dan Sullivan · 24:12 in the video

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs- House

March 3, 2025 · State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House)

Matched: “laws, and recently it passed Senate Bill 3, which the governor signed into law on February 18th that p…”

laws, and recently it passed Senate Bill 3, which the governor signed into law on February 18th that prohibits discrimination by public entities on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. HB 1365 continues this great w...
...now you're not from here, so I don't know if you followed closely the debate on Senate Bill 3, that was obviously positioned as a pro equality bill, um, in fact, what it does is I think dismantle some really important steps in the state of ...
Representative Nicole Clowney · 6:32 in the video
cultural competency we talked in here about SB 3, and I believe the point was made um several times that somebody who is culturally competent could be of any race, but we're saying that we shouldn't even
Representative Andrew Collins · 13:22 in the video
... through statute creates problems as has been testified here today. So I think honestly I, I don't this bill to me seems much more straightforward and narrowly tailored than SB 3, which generated a lot more controversy, I think this bill is
Representative David Ray · 1:12:22 in the video

Senate Convenes

Feb. 12, 2025 · on the agenda

Matched: “SB3 #2 D. Sullivan Sullivan TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFE…”

up there in a red dress, and for the 3rd year in a row, she was ranked number one wealth manager by Forbes in Arkansas. Who We will now take up. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3.
...ment, please signified by saying aye. And he opposed I have it. Amendment is adopted. We will now take up Senate Bill 3. As I'm closed. Thank you. Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan to prohibit discrimination by preferential treatment by the
... to change your vote. I see Senator Blake Johnson, yes. Senator Hickey, yes. Any other senators Wished wish to change your vote, seeing no others, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 24 yeah, 6 nay, 2, not voting, Senate Bill 3. Passes.
Return of Senate Bill 3 from the House has passed and row. Just order it and write. Ordering on this. Order and roll, retire of Senate Bill 77 from the house as passed or enrolled, retire at Senate Bill 78 from the House as passed, ordering...
Agenda items (1)

Senate Convenes

Feb. 11, 2025

Matched: “…ttee on State agencies, Governmental Affairs, who was first Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan recommend Du pass to concur in House Am…”

...pass calendar. Committee on State agencies, Governmental Affairs, who was first Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan recommend Du pass to concur in House Amendment number 2, calendarit on and state agencies to muster House bill. Senate Bill 20...

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs-Senate

Feb. 11, 2025 · State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (Senate) · on the agenda

Matched: “…im Dotson CONCUR IN HOUSE AMENDMENT Number Sponsor Subtitle SB3 D. Sullivan TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENTIAL TREA…”

SB 3 So members, you know, we voted this bill out of committee and off the Senate floor two weeks ago. There was an amendment over in the House that we're just looking to concur with. So with that, Senator Sulliv Sullivan chair as you know,...
Agenda items (1)

House Convenes

Feb. 6, 2025 · on the agenda

Matched: “SB3 D. Sullivan Bentley TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENT…”

and 2 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 3. Senate Bill 3 by Representative Bentley to prohibit discrimination or provincial treatment by the state of Arkansas and other public entities. Representative Bentley...
...l law and eliminate state sanctioned discrimination and preferential treatment. SB 3 does exactly that. So we'll look at SB3. I'm gonna read the first legislative intent, the General Assembly intends for this act to prohibit discrimination ...
... gonna stop mentorship of, of girls at school. We have powerful state and federal laws to protect students and employees in place if they're feeling that they're in, uh, anti, been discriminated against. SB3 does not remove any of these. Um
...the nation. I would say, well, maybe we are now equalized across the board, but we're not. We still have areas and many opportunities to move forward. And so, Please consider. And I would ask you to vote no against Senate Bill 3. Thank you.
... to say racial disparities exist and they are real. And this bill ignores that. Senate Bill 3 ignores the fact that the playing field in our society is not leveled. It disregards the reality of bias, and it falsely perpetuates itself as a b...
differ. If this legislative body affirms SB 3 with a majority vote, it will cause us as a state to revisit the trials of days past. And perhaps that's what some may want. Either way, this state's fate. Rest in the collective hands of this b...
... that, colleagues, I appreciate your time and I would appreciate a good vote on SB 3 and now let's end discrimination. Thank you. Representative Bentley is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 3. ...
Agenda items (1)

House Convenes

Feb. 5, 2025

Matched: “…tate agencies and Governmental Affairs to whom was referred Senate Bill 3. Vaguely report we have the same consideration here for ter…”

... your Committee on State agencies and Governmental Affairs to whom was referred Senate Bill 3. Vaguely report we have the same consideration here for terms same recommendation that it do pass respectfully submitted Representative Gazaway, C...

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs- House

Feb. 5, 2025 · State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) · on the agenda

Matched: “SB3 D. Sullivan TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENTIAL TREA…”

present. SB 3. Chairman and committee, thank you so much for allowing me to be here today to present a very important bill and I just want to uh tell you that Senator Sullivan is sick with the flu and he cannot join us today, so you are stu...
... for Arkansas to catch up with the law and to eliminate state sanctions, discrimination, and preferential treatment, and that is exactly what SB 3 does. So if you guys will take a minute and pull out the bill, I'm gonna go through the bill.
of SB 3, OK. Um, she can have leeway, can I ask another question? Of course, go ahead. OK, um, so I know, um, maternal maternal mortality is your, uh, one of the things that you're working on here in Arkansas, um, African American women in ...
...sor on it, uh, representing the world also I cannot tell you. I've just studied SB 3, so I'd be prepared for today. I'm sorry. So if you follow me in your bill to page 12, Mr. Chair, if I could have some latitude. You're recognized, of cour...
...ng you to do the right and hard thing today. And include in your deliberations the voices which have for too long been dismissed or ostracized. I ask you to vote no on SB 3. Thank you. Are you, are you, do you want to take questions? I can.
...plies equally to hiring and contracting. And so if you think about it, it's all SB 3 does is catch up to what that Supreme Court opinion ultimately portends, but instead of being on the back end of history, we will be on the front of histor...
...um, where you were, where you said that this would not apply to any sort of clubs, right, so it's page 13 lines 18 through 19. I think you may be looking at, or maybe I am looking at an old version you're right, I pulled the SB 3 off of the
Sex section 2 of SB 3 shifts the focus of liquor permit approvals from ensuring a balanced market that protects small businesses to prioritizing consumer benefits that like lower prices and convenience. What does that mean? It means large c...
...or the communities that you were elected to represent. I urge you to vote no on SB 3, reject this blatant power grab from the Senate. Send a message that this kind of secrecy and disregard for the people of Arkansas will not be tolerated. T...
...ly texted Senator. I'm just talking about I'm just telling you I'm asking about SB 3, I'm telling you about SB 3. It is not in the bill title. It's not in the legislative intents, let's not argue. OK, no, no, no, no, no, no, OK, I apologize...
...rm soybeans, corn, rice, and wheat. Um, I'm here representing myself. I'm here to express my deep concern in opposition to SB 3 because I am part of a group that does receive and will continue to receive preferential treatment, um, from the
...are Because of their situation or birth, forced to begin 15 ft behind the starting line. Groups like people of color, women, young people, young farmers, seniors, people with disabilities, and yes, veterans. Under the guise of equality, SB3
...ncept of merit has taken center stage both nationally in our state legislature. SB 3 aims, as we've heard um today to prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, and national origin. Instead, onl...
... school district or a city government can motivate and encourage working women who are struggling to balance it all. In all of these would be considered preferential treatment by Senate Bill 3 and therefore outlawed. The Language is open to
expanding opportunity, not limiting it. Not only is Senate Bill 3 bad for individual opportunity. It's bad for our state's economic opportunity. SP3 is written could eliminate programs that are critical to preparing women and girls for the ...
...elp them in our state grow respectfully, I'm asking the committee to vote no on Senate Bill 3. Thank you, Mrs. Gorman. Is there anyone here who has any questions, anyone on the committee has any questions. Representative Rose, you're recogn...
...y works as a fair measure when the playing field is already level and it isn't. SB 3 does not prohibit discrimination. It dismantles policies that were designed to ensure access to opportunity for those who have historically been denied it ...
... have started on. And that representatives that will be your legacy. Vote no on SB 3 because leadership is not about comfort. Leadership is about courage. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Are there any questions about the committee?
...t. My hope is that those of you who support this bill did not realize that there is a measurable benefit and diverse perspectives and life experiences. Now that you know, I urge you to vote no on SB 3. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Halbert. Are
...or, and one of my major concerns was that during the debates that ensued around Senate Bill 3. There was no data presented that indicated the impact of the laws that are on the books today, nor looked at the unintended consequences of this ...
...ed to give equal opportunity and to create an inclusive culture. Further, I'd like to just point out that SB 3 is broad language would eliminate DEI programs, which are not affirmative action, but rather efforts to create fairer workplaces,
... is a responsibility that we all must take. And you as legislators in voting no on SB 3. Have the opportunity to consider the opportunities available to all Arkansans. I also just want to point out one other thing that I think is important.
...ren and families in Arkansas. I'm not here to talk about the morality issues of SB 3. Those issues are already very clear. As an attorney, I do want to talk about how this bill is poorly written, um, and does not do what the sponsors think ...
...ublic school district or a public special school district or political subdivision of a government instrumentality of the state. This means that all of those entities are subject to SB 3 because they all hire employees and procure services.
...nd the state itself, um, and for these reasons, we would urge you to vote no on SB 3. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Garcia. It looks like we have some questions that the committee, Representative Clowney, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair...
...rment to affect social change and public policy. Recently, Arkansas Senate bill SB 3 passed in the state agencies and governmental affairs Senate Committee, the full Senate and moving through the legislature. The passage of SB 3 would effec...
...hievements, especially in business, politics, and the arts. In the case of MTCC SB 3 is a direct and immediate threat to the center's mission, accreditation, funding, and partnerships. Specifically, if SB 3 passes, it poses a risk of weaken...
If SB3 becomes law, it will remove opportunities and protections for populations that have historically and continue to face systemic discrimination. These health and cultural initiatives cannot exist solely on the principle of equality, wh...
Civility as well as ongoing action and assessment of progress toward achieving specified goals. Therefore, in good conscience, we stand against. SB 3. All right, thank you, Ms. McBeth. Are there any questions at the committee?
...ain for uh for being here this morning and for the time that you've given. I just wanna again just go over what exactly does SB3 do, OK. I think it's important to look back at the bill and the reason why we're bringing forth the bill again,
...eeded. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, we have a motion on the floor of DuPass on Senate Bill 3. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed? No. The eyes have it. Congratulations. Representative Bentley, you've passed your bill.
Agenda items (1)

Senate Convenes

Jan. 29, 2025 · on the agenda

Matched: “SB3 D. Sullivan TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENTIAL TREA…”

...ing I, I, and he opposed eye's habits, Senate Resolution 6 is adopted. We will now take up Senate Bill 3. to build 3 by Centra Sullivan to prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment by the state of Arkansas and other public entities.
...gal discriminatory actions and restore a merit-based opportunity, folks, that's SB 3. Ending Illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based. I'm not going to read all the executive orders, but there are a number of executive orders that t...
A woman and women, are they a target of your Senate bill 3 to prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment toward women. Is that part of it? The law says you, you cannot give preferential treatment to women. So if there are 2 people bi...
...e systemic barriers that excluded people based on race, gender, and background. Senate Bill 3 threatens to undo the progress they fought for and the progress we've made collectively, in my opinion. This bill does this bill doesn't just impa...
...le from advancing, it's not discrimination, it's accountability. The passage of Senate Bill 3 will represent a step backwards. A retreat from fairness. And opportunity. I urge you to reject the harmful legislation and choose a future where ...
Colleagues, this is not the foundation of SB 3. The bill actively works against these things. And I ask you to consider. Voting no on SB 3. Thank you. Any senator wished to speak for the bill. And other senator wish to speak against, Senato...
... the board see no others, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 24, 7, nay to not voting and to present Senate Bill 3 passes transmit to the house. We will take up Senate Bill 63, but before we take up Senate Bill 63, I'd like to recognize
Agenda items (1)

Senate Convenes

Jan. 28, 2025

Matched: “…e your Committee on state agencies, these team was referred Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan, recommend Du pass calendar Committee o…”

...u pass calendar. Were your Committee on state agencies, these team was referred Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan, recommend Du pass calendar Committee on State agencies to was the first Senate Bill 63 by Senator Hickey recommended Du pass ...

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs-Senate

Jan. 28, 2025 · State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (Senate) · on the agenda

Matched: “…we're going to do Senator Sullivan, and that's going to be Senate Bill 3. Senator, if you want to go to the table over here and You'…”

...ht, members. Next up we're going to do Senator Sullivan, and that's going to be Senate Bill 3. Senator, if you want to go to the table over here and You're recognized to receive your bill, Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate the...
... discrimination, and the restoration of merit based on opportunity. That's what SB 3 is, and folks, I could run through all the different executive orders that pertain to discrimination. I don't think that's necessary, but he eliminated tho...
...the definition of that. We also provide for a Reporting mechanism so that the legislature will receive reports from the agencies as they comply with this. You know, one could make the case previously that Uh Action that Senate Bill 3 really
... opportunity employer. The problem is there's no such thing. Because either you're an affirmative action employer or you're an equal opportunity employer. You can't be both, and that's the point of SB 3. We are moving to merit. We're moving
...hey strengthened entire communities and helped build a more inclusive Arkansas. Senate Bill 3 threatens to undo decades of that progress. It claims to create equality, but in reality it ignores the systemic barriers that these programs were...
afford to move backwards. I urge you to vote no on SB 3. Let's honor the courage of those who came before us and let's commit to building a future where every Arkansan has the chance to thrive. Thank you. Thank you, sir. All right, Senator ...
...h him. I practiced law, and I still do a lot of civil rights litigation. I read SB 3 and I did a deep dive into the bill. The bill is entitled An Act to prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment by the state of Arkansas and other pu...
SB 3 no longer takes the lack of diversity into consideration when handing out liquor license and Sullivan don't like the word equity. So that word has been replaced with equality, uh, yet when I look at our Arkansas Supreme Court. The cour...
...ues exist in these programs, and for that reason we would ask you to vote no on SB 3, Arkansas is already struggling, as Senator Clark has said, to recruit teachers of color and in particular by deleting the word minority, what we're doing ...
...er, he's never reached out to us between that session and this session, nor responded to any of us reaching out. To him. Now we're here with SB 3, which is essentially the same bill with added poor attempt to protect preferential treatments
I put forth the idea and the argument here today that passage of SB 3 is solving a problem that we don't know exists. And that before any action be taken that you prudently consider, number one, is their data to show that there's an issue a...
... an Arkansan, and I'm here to speak on behalf of Arkansans who want to be here and aren't able to come because they are at work or they are at school. Uh, regarding Senate Bill 3. That was proposed by Senator Sullivan. Discrimination cannot
...kansas law not only of persons who have been and are being harmed by our state, but a persons that you want to continue harming. SB 3 appears to be legislating preferential treatment for persons who have used their preferential abilities to
Agenda items (1)

Senate Convenes

Jan. 21, 2025

Matched: “…s, sir, we, your committee on gross bills, who was referred Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan Beckle report compared the engrossed co…”

...e to start. out of it. Madam Secretary, are the items at the desk to be read. Yes, sir, we, your committee on gross bills, who was referred Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan Beckle report compared the engrossed copy with the ritual and find

State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs-Senate

Jan. 21, 2025 · State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (Senate)

Matched: “…mmer Sen. Jim Dotson REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle SB3 D. Sullivan TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENTIAL TREA…”

Senate Convenes

Jan. 13, 2025

Matched: “…maintain a fluoride content, Senate Bill 2. Public health, Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan to prohibit discrimination or preferent…”

...for water systems to maintain a fluoride content, Senate Bill 2. Public health, Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan to prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment by the state of Arkansas and other public entities. Senate Bill 3. State ...

Documents (4)

Official record

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