Senator Bart Hester (R)
P.O. Box 85, Cave Springs, 72718
District: 1
District:
1
Seniority: 16
Seniority:
16
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
Public Service:
Senate 2013, 2015, 2017 Majority Whip, Majority Leader 2019, Senate 2021
Bills
Bill
Title
Bill Status
Primary Sponsor
History
TO AMEND THE LICENSING OF OPERATORS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES; TO AMEND THE LICENSING COMMITTEE; TO ALLOW FOR BIENNIAL LICENSE RENEWAL; AND TO ADDRESS RECIPROCITY IN ARKANSAS.
TO AMEND THE SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN SCHOLARSHIPS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF A DRIVER'S INSTRUCTION PERMIT BY THE DIVISION OF ARKANSAS STATE POLICE.
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO HAVE ALL CONSENT DECREES RECONSIDERED.
TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES, COUNTIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES FROM RESTRICTING THE RIGHT OF A LANDOWNER TO PERFORM TREE MAINTENANCE ON THE LANDOWNER'S PROPERTY.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DATES FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL ELECTIONS; AND TO PROMOTE VOTER TURNOUT.
TO CLARIFY THE CRIMINAL OFFENSES THAT WOULD CAUSE THE DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSURE OF A MASSAGE THERAPIST.
TO AMEND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS.
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE SUCCEED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
Primary Sponsor for House
TO AMEND THE TELEMEDICINE ACT; TO AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR TELEMEDICINE VIA TELEPHONE; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO ESTABLISH SIMON'S LAW; AND TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENT FOR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN CONSENT FOR END-OF-LIFE MEDICAL PROCEDURES FOR MINORS.
CONCERNING VOLUNTARY PRESUMPTIVE SENTENCING STANDARDS OF A PERSON'S CRIMINAL HISTORY SCORE.
CONCERNING THE THEFT OF A POSTAL PACKAGE DELIVERED TO A PERSON'S RESIDENCE AND LEFT WITHIN THE CURTILAGE OF THE RESIDENCE; TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DATES FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL ELECTIONS; AND TO PROMOTE VOTER TURNOUT.
TO AMEND THE INCOME TAX; AND TO REDUCE THE RATE OF TAX LEVIED ON THE TOP INCOME TAX BRACKET.
TO MODIFY THE CURRICULUM OF MASSAGE THERAPY SCHOOLS; TO ALLOW REMOTE EDUCATION TO MEET CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS; TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO REQUIRE LICENSING ENTITIES TO CONSIDER THE GOOD MORAL CHARACTER OF AN INDIVIDUAL BEFORE ISSUING A LICENSE TO AN INDIVIDUAL.
EXPANDING THE PERMITTED USE OF A CERTIFIED FACILITY DOG FOR VULNERABLE WITNESSES.
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN MORE THAN ONE (1) RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION.
TO CREATE THE EARN AND LEARN ACT OF 2021; AND TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO WORK AND EARN A PAYCHECK WHILE ALSO FULFILLING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND GAINING THE SKILLS TO FILL THE NEEDS OF AN EXPANDING WORKFORCE.
TO BE KNOWN AS THE "SAFE TRAILS ACT"; TO PRESERVE, PROMOTE, AND SUSTAIN AN EXCELLENT QUALITY OF LIFE.
TO AMEND LAWS RELEVANT TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS UNDER THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW.
TO PROVIDE FOR DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE AND INITIAL TIME-CRITICAL DIAGNOSES AND PROCEDURES; AND TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY TO HELP IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND PROMPT TREATMENT.
CONCERNING THE SENTENCING PROCEDURE DURING A CAPITAL MURDER TRIAL IN THE EVENT OF ERROR OCCURRING DURING THE SENTENCING PHASE OF THE TRIAL.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS; AND TO ALLOW AN AGENCY TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR PROMOTIONAL ITEMS.
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PROCUREMENT LAW; AND TO PROVIDE CLARITY, EQUITY, AND CONSISTENCY IN THE PROCUREMENT LAWS.
TO CREATE THE EARN AND LEARN ACT; AND TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO WORK AND EARN A PAYCHECK WHILE ALSO FULFILLING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND GAINING THE SKILLS TO FILL THE NEEDS OF AN EXPANDING WORKFORCE.
REGARDING THE SUSPENSION OF PERMITS FOR A RETAILER'S FAILURE TO PAY A WHOLESALER OR MANUFACTURER FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS, VAPOR PRODUCTS, ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS, OR E-LIQUIDS.
TO REDUCE THE INCOME TAX LEVIED ON INDIVIDUALS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES FROM FIVE AND NINE-TENTHS PERCENT (5.9%) TO FOUR AND NINE-TENTHS PERCENT (4.9%).
TO RECOGNIZE AND DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF MARCH AS "NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH" IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BE KNOWN AS THE "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND BALLOT INITIATIVE REFORM AMENDMENT".
CoSponsor
TO REMOVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION AS AN AVAILABLE PENALTY FOR OFFENSES NOT RELATED TO DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE.
TO EXEMPT UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS FROM INCOME TAX DURING A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
CONCERNING THE DEFENSE OF A PERSON WITH THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE OR DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE.
TO ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES ARE NOT PENALIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR PATRONS OR CUSTOMERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19) PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO CREATE THE GENDER INTEGRITY REINFORCEMENT LEGISLATION FOR SPORTS (GIRLS) ACT; AND TO CREATE A LEGAL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR A VIOLATION OF THE GENDER INTEGRITY REINFORCEMENT LEGISLATION FOR SPORTS (GIRLS) ACT.
TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT NO. 4 OF 1948; TO REVISE THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY IN THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW; AND TO MODIFY THE PROCESS FOR REQUESTING A HEARING.
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TUTORING CORPS ACT; TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SUSTAINABLE TUTORING PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO LEARNING LOSS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT; TO ABOLISH ABORTION IN ARKANSAS AND PROTECT THE LIVES OF UNBORN CHILDREN; AND TO PROTECT ALL HUMAN LIFE.
TO CREATE A TAX CREDIT FOR ELIGIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO A SPONSOR-GRANTING ORGANIZATION UNDER THE PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT IN ARKANSAS KIDS PROGRAM.
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PERMIT LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT OF RULES OF PLEADING, PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND EVIDENCE FOR COURTS.
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PERMITTING LIMITS ON AWARDS OF PUNITIVE AND NONECONOMIC DAMAGES.
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PERMIT LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT OF RULES OF PLEADING, PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND EVIDENCE FOR COURTS.
TO REMEMBER SENATOR JIM ARGUE AND TO RECOGNIZE HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND HIS LOCAL COMMUNITY.
CoSponsor for House
TO AMEND THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX LAWS; AND TO PROVIDE A COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THE STANDARD DEDUCTION.
TO REQUIRE THAT RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ARE PROTECTED DURING AN EMERGENCY; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO AMEND THE MINIMUM WAGE ACT OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND TO AMEND THE SECTION REGARDING RELIEF FROM LIABILITY FOR EMPLOYERS THAT IMPACTS PORTIONS OF THE LAW RESULTING FROM INITIATED ACT 5 OF 2018.
TO ALLOW PHARMACISTS TO TREAT CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITIONS; TO MODIFY PHYSICIAN DISPENSING; AND TO ALLOW DELEGATION OF PHYSICIAN DISPENSING.
TO CREATE A STATE MEAT INSPECTION PROGRAM; TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT; TO TRANSFER AUTHORITY OVER MEAT INSPECTION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO PROVIDE FOR THE TAX TREATMENT OF CERTAIN LOANS, PAYMENTS, AND EXPENSES RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19) RELIEF PROGRAMS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OR AN OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO ADOPT AN APPROVED BILINGUAL PROGRAM OR DUAL-IMMERSION PROGRAM.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOAD LIMITS FOR A VEHICLE TRANSPORTING CERTAIN RAW MATERIALS AND LOGS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
TO AMEND THE DEATH CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION PROCESS FOR THE SIGNATURE OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
TO BE KNOWN AS THE "ARKANSAS PHOENIX ACT OF 2021"; CONCERNING THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES; AND CONCERNING THE TRAINING GIVEN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR SITUATIONS IN WHICH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS SUSPECTED.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDERS OF PROTECTION; AND CONCERNING COURSE OF CONTROL.
TO MODERNIZE AND STRENGTHEN NURSING FACILITY STAFFING STANDARDS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
TO PROTECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS' VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION; TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS ELECTION PROCEDURE.
REQUIRING A CORRECTIONAL OR DETENTION FACILITY OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO ESTABLISH A POLICY TO OFFER MAMMOGRAMS AND PROSTATE SCREENINGS TO INMATES AND DETAINEES, AS APPROPRIATE.
TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES ON DESIGNATED PUBLIC STREETS AND HIGHWAYS; AND TO CREATE THE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE OFF-ROAD TRAIL FUND.
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OR UTILIZATION OF A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND TO STUDY INFORMATION RELATED TO THE ARKANSAS CASINO GAMING AMENDMENT OF 2018.
CONCERNING THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL FIREARM BANS WITHIN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND CONCERNING STATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PERMITTING LIMITS ON AWARDS OF PUNITIVE AND NONECONOMIC DAMAGES.
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PERMIT LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT OF RULES OF PLEADING, PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND EVIDENCE FOR COURTS.
Committees
Committees
Chair:
JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE
Chair:
SENATE EFFICIENCY
Alternate:
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
Alternate:
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES