State Representative Karilyn Brown (Dist. 41) of Sherwood has worked diligently on a range of issues in 2019 that we are proud to acknowledge. From legislation that shows our Veterans tremendous appreciation to a Sanctity of Life bill that draws a clear line against tax payer funded abortions, her work deserves the fanfare of Arkansans across our state.  

​In the spirit of Military Appreciation Month, it is fitting to celebrate Rep. Brown’s Act 66 which simplifies a prior-service member’s ability to have a Veteran designation on their license. This can be used to easily receive veteran discounts at local businesses and prove possible eligibility for health benefits at a Veterans Administration facility just by showing their driver’s license. 

​Rep. Brown took her appreciation for Veterans a step further by passing Act 729. Now, Veterans with a service-connected disability can enjoy all that our Natural State has to offer by receiving an exclusive and highly discounted lifetime fishing and hunting licenses. For only $52.50 our disabled Veterans can enjoy the best duck hunting and trout fishing the Southern United States has to offer for the rest of their lives!  

​On the front lines of the Sanctity of Life Movement, Rep. Brown passed legislation that prevents taxpayer dollars from funding human cloning and destructive embryo research. While this has been a banned practice in Arkansas, a loophole existed where taxpayer money could go to related research outside of Arkansas. With Act 799 now signed into law, embryos that are farmed and used as disposable research cannot be funded by Arkansas taxpayers whatsoever. 

Rep. Brown has promoted the Republican Party platform through these pieces of legislation and did so in a manner that is compassionate and impactful for our state. ​

Rural Arkansas has benefitted tremendously this last session due to Rep. DeAnn Vaught (Dist. 4) of Horatio. Specifically, our farming communities are now better served as laws recently passed protect their property rights and ability to earn a living. Many other issues were on her radar this session to include school counseling and firearm preservation bills. 

​​Farmers can rest easy after the passage of  Act 518  which creates civil immunity for Farmers in certain circumstances. Prior to this law, if a person illegally enters onto a farmer’s property to steal farm equipment and is accidentally injured or killed on that property, the farmer may in many cases could be held legally responsible.

​Rep. Vaught also worked closely with Governor Hutchinson and Sen. Breanne Davis to pass Act 190: “The School Counseling Improvement Act of 2019.” This legislation brings a renewed focus to planned goal-setting and post-secondary opportunities, behavioral and mental health counseling, and much more for our students. This bill alone is a transformative measure that dramatically improves counseling services in schools across our state. 
​
On the Second Amendment front, Rep. Vaught passed a wildly popular firearm preservation bill that allows law enforcement agencies to trade confiscated firearms with federally licensed firearm dealers for credit toward their future agency purchases. This is a smart way to help fund our agencies at no cost to the taxpayer while not destroying firearms that hold significant value that would otherwise be wasted by their destruction. 

Republican Representative Justin Boyd (Dist. 77) of Fort Smith has taken the lead on significant issues that have harmed Arkansas families for years. He dedicated his time during the 2019 Regular Session to combat the Opioid Crisis and brought regulatory reform to our criminal justice system. Taking on these issues can be a tall order, yet, Rep. Boyd was more than capable of passing meaningful legislation that improves the quality of life for Arkansans across the state.    

Relating to Criminal Justice Reform, Republicans including Rep. Boyd have championed new beginnings for rehabilitated prior-offenders. In many cases, after a person has served their debt to society, they face many challenges that limit their ability to move forward. Act 680 is a helping hand to those who truly deserve a second chance. First, it eliminates a fifty dollar fee imposed on those looking to file a petition to seal an offense or violation. It also eliminates a five-year waiting period before a petition can be filed to seal a nonviolent felony after they served their time. Ultimately, the most important benefit of this legislation is that it lowers the barrier for those seeking employment and housing, ensuring that they have the means to become productive members of society.

By requiring a risk assessment for each child, courts can properly categorize those who are not likely to re-offend. Now, Juvenile Courts function with an emphasis on community involvement for these children instead of state managed disciplinary actions like incarceration. Under this new law, troubled youth are given the care and attention they deserve to help escape the cycle of crime before it destroys their chance at a normal life. It should be noted that this bill passed with zero dissent from the General Assembly. 

In an effort to make our streets and highways safer, Rep. Fite also passed a number of bills that protect Arkansans from dangerous drivers. Act 288 amends the law on distracted driving to include the use of cellphones in school zones as an offense. Similarly, Act 166 increases the penalty of passing a stopped school bus to at least five hundred dollars. Both measures are guaranteed to protect Arkansans, especially our children, as these laws are enforced. 
In an effort to protect victims of domestic violence, Rep. Fite has passed a few bills that address this evil head-on. Act 498 redefines Domestic Battery in the First Degree to include a Class Y Felony (the most serious crimes not punishable by death in Arkansas) in some circumstances and stiffens penalties for abuse of those 60 years of age or older, and increase penalties for abuse of children aged 4 or younger.

Likewise, to protect victims seeking professional help from domestic violence, she passed Act 499. Victims of domestic abuse are often afraid of seeking help as to not make their situation publicly known, especially to their abuser. Any victims who seeks the help of a shelter, center, or advocate for domestic abuse can do so with the guarantee of confidential reporting. This is a significant privilege for victims as many are in situations that pose imminent risk of serious harm to them or their loved ones. 

​One of Rep. Fite’s most significant victories this year was for the deaf community. Given their specific needs and underserved population, it can be difficult for these Arkansans to find help in a number of ways. Act 644 sponsored by Rep. Fite is a ‘Bill of Rights’ for the Deaf Community regarding mental health needs. This Act provides the deaf community with mental health services that are fluent in their primary means of communication, such as American Sign Language. Not only does this provide them with the ability to communicate freely with their mental health providers, it also seeks to ensure those providers are familiar with the unique culture of the deaf community. 

​LITTLE ROCK, AR- Construction is well underway at the Rockefeller Republican Center. The steel skeleton of the new Gov. Asa Hutchinson Historium has seemingly sprouted up from the ground overnight and has already eclipsed the current RPA homestead. There are temporary scars on the lawn and parking lot from the heavy equipment that has dug into it over the past few weeks. Foundation, plumbing, electric veins are being set to someday provide for good people who will one day soon enjoy it. 

Imagine for a moment your first time entering the new building, walking up and through the modern portico entrance into a reception area featuring a gallery of busts of Arkansan leaders. The reception area is open and inviting with historically significant displays placed around the room.

     Above you notice the glowing "Freedom Rings" layered in red, white, and blue. It is the centerpiece light fixture, appearing spacious and pleasant by accompanied sky lit windows. The new addition will also feature two public office spaces for all elected officials, friends, and volunteers to work in private or for an occasional meeting. 

     To the left, enter the door to the soon to be Huckabee Administration Wing and see RPA staff working busily in what is now the current office building. Step through the doors on the right of the reception room, and you may find Chairman Doyle Webb speaking to a group of 200+ attendees in the Hammerschmidt Hall, complete with a catering kitchen among other amenities.    

     While we here at the RPA continue our enthusiastic work to grow the Republican Movement in Arkansas, we are occasionally reminded by the banging steel and the roar of backhoes, of our humble beginnings, and the bright future all Arkansas Republicans will surely make possible. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, swing by the RPA headquarters and see it for yourself. It is the result of the hard work and dedication you and many other Arkansans earned and rightfully deserve.

     You can immortalize your name on a wall in the Parks Diversity Plaza by donating $150 and we will add a personalized brick, with your choice of text, to be proudly displayed for generations to come. Contact us at communications@arkansasgop.org for more details.