Senator Bart Hester (R)
P.O. Box 85, Cave Springs, 72718
District: 33
District:
33
Seniority: 9
Seniority:
9
Occupation: Real Estate and Construction
Occupation:
Real Estate and Construction
Church Affiliation: Baptist
Church Affiliation:
Baptist
Veteran: No
Veteran:
No
Public Service: Senate 2013, 2015, 2017 Majority Whip, Majority Leader 2019, Senate 2021, 2023 President Pro Tempore, 2025 President Pro Tempore
Public Service:
Senate 2013, 2015, 2017 Majority Whip, Majority Leader 2019, Senate 2021, 2023 President Pro Tempore, 2025 President Pro Tempore
Bills
Bill
Title
Bill Status
Primary Sponsor
History
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND RECREATIONAL TRAMWAYS; AND TO CREATE A RECREATIONAL TRAMWAY SYSTEM FOR STATE PARKS AND FOR OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE STATE.
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE DATES FOR ELECTIONS; TO AMEND THE DATES OF PRIMARY ELECTIONS, SCHOOL ELECTIONS, AND CERTAIN SPECIAL ELECTIONS; AND TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THE FISCAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES LEVIED ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 19 OF 1958; AND TO EXEMPT GROCERIES FROM STATE SALES AND USE TAXES.
TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT STATE PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE WATER AUTHORITY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE USES OF THE CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE REVOLVING LOAN FUND.
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND POLLUTION ABATEMENT PROJECTS.
TO CREATE THE DEFENSE AGAINST CRIMINAL ILLEGALS ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS WHO COMMIT SERIOUS FELONIES INVOLVING VIOLENCE.
TO CLARIFY THE LAW CONCERNING WHEN INTERIM COMMITTEES MAY MEET DURING A LEGISLATIVE RECESS.
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CERTAIN STUDENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO PROHIBIT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM ENACTING REGULATIONS IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM IN CERTAIN INSTANCES.
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS AND THE ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS FOUNDATION.
TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL RETAIL LIQUOR PERMITS TO CERTAIN EXISTING HOLDERS OF RETAIL LIQUOR PERMITS.
TO ADOPT THE JOINT RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
TO AUTHORIZE RECESSES OF EITHER OR BOTH CHAMBERS FOR PERIODS OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS OR LONGER.
TO RECOGNIZE, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGE THE ARKANSAS 250 COMMISSION AS IT BEGINS ITS WORK TO CELEBRATE ARKANSAS'S RICH TWO-HUNDRED-FIFTY-YEAR HISTORY FROM THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE THROUGH JULY 4, 2026.
Primary Sponsor for House
TO CREATE THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT FOR A FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR BILLS RELATED TO HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS; AND TO REPEAL THE BILL FILING DEADLINE FOR BILLS AFFECTING HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS OF ENTITIES OF THE STATE.
TO AMEND THE DIRECT SHIPMENT OF VINOUS LIQUOR ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH A WINE DIRECT SHIPPER LICENSE.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON THE REGULATION OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO TRANSFER SCHOOLS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES LEVIED ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 19 OF 1958; AND TO EXEMPT GROCERIES FROM STATE SALES AND USE TAXES.
TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND TO AMEND A RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION.
FOR A JOINT SESSION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE AT 10:30 A.M., TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025, TO DECLARE ELECTION RESULTS, TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE, AND TO HEAR AN ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR.
PROVIDING THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY RECESS ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025, AND RECONVENE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025.
TO PROVIDE FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A RECESS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
TO RECOGNIZE BENTONVILLE'S INVESTMENT IN CYCLING AND ITS TITLE AS THE MOUNTAIN BIKING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
CoSponsor
TO CREATE THE BELL TO BELL, NO CELL ACT; AND TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES WITH REGARD TO STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
TO EXEMPT FROM GROSS INCOME A GAIN BY A TAXPAYER RESULTING FROM THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY UNDER THE RIGHT OF EMINENT DOMAIN OR THE THREAT OF CONDEMNATION.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC UTILITIES; TO CREATE THE GENERATING ARKANSAS JOBS ACT OF 2025; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF CAPITAL RAPE; AND TO AMEND A PORTION OF ARKANSAS CODE WHICH RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 3 OF 1936.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE OF REVENUES DERIVED FROM A COUNTY SALES AND USE TAXES FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2013; TO ELIMINATE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES; TO CREATE SAFE HARBORS FOR VICTIMS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PRODUCTS THAT RESEMBLE A CHILD.
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE A HUMAN FETAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION IN THE RELEVANT STANDARDS DURING THE ARKANSAS ACADEMIC STANDARDS REVISION CYCLE.
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPROVE OR DENY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS CONCERNING CLOSING OR ELIMINATING ELECTRIC GENERATION UNITS OR TRANSMISSION ASSETS.
TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM OF PROPERTY INSURANCE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND STATE-OWNED PROPERTY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO REPEAL CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE SECURITIES DEPARTMENT; AND TO REVISE CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
TO MAKE OPERATION OF AN ILLEGAL ONLINE CASINO OR SPORTS BETTING A FELONY; TO CREATE THE INTERACTIVE GAMING ACT AND TO INCLUDE NAME, IMAGE, OR LIKENESS DRAWING GAMES AND CASINO GAMING; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ACT OF 2021; AND TO INCREASE THE MEDICAL-LOSS RATIO IN THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME PROGRAM.
TO PROVIDE EACH STUDENT WITH ONE BREAKFAST AT NO COST EACH SCHOOL DAY UPON REQUEST WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF THE STUDENT'S ELIGIBILITY FOR A FEDERALLY FUNDED FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEAL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 2, § 5, TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY OF FORMER ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN, AND FORTY-THIRD GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS JAMES "JIM" GUY TUCKER FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE NATION AND TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
TO SUPPORT THE NOMINATION OF FORMER GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS MICHAEL DALE "MIKE" HUCKABEE AS UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL.
CoSponsor for House
TO ESTABLISH RECOVERY OF DAMAGES FOR NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE, TREATMENT, OR SERVICES RENDERED.
TO CREATE THE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL INCENTIVE ACT; AND TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT RELATED TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL.
TO ESTABLISH THE WATER AND SEWER TREATMENT FACILITIES GRANT PROGRAM; TO TRANSFER FUNDING FROM THE SECURITIES RESERVE FUND; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO ALLOW A MUNICIPAL PORT AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH A POLICE FORCE; AND TO ESTABLISH THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF A MUNICIPAL PORT AUTHORITY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
TO REQUIRE BALLOT TITLES FOR INITIATED MEASURES TO BE AT OR UNDER A CERTAIN READING LEVEL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM OF PROPERTY INSURANCE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND STATE-OWNED PROPERTY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMISSIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING AGENCY RELATIONSHIP AND DUTIES RELATED TO REAL ESTATE LICENSES; AND TO CLARIFY THE OBLIGATIONS OF DUAL AGENCY.
TO MAKE OPERATION OF AN ILLEGAL ONLINE CASINO OR SPORTS BETTING A FELONY; TO CREATE THE INTERACTIVE GAMING ACT AND TO INCLUDE NAME, IMAGE, OR LIKENESS DRAWING GAMES AND CASINO GAMING; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Committees
Committees
ex officio:
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
ex officio:
JBC-CLAIMS
ex officio:
JBC-PEER REVIEW
ex officio:
JBC-PERSONNEL
ex officio:
JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE
ex officio:
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING