Bart Hester, a Republican from Cave Springs, represents Arkansas Senate District 33, which includes Bentonville, Rogers, Centerton and Cave Springs in Benton County.[1][2]
He was elected to the Senate in 2012 and took the oath of office at the start of the 2013 session; his Senate colleagues elected him to two consecutive terms as President Pro Tempore.[1][2]Hester was Senate Majority Whip in 2017 and Majority Leader in 2019.[1][2]A native of Green Forest, he graduated in 2001 from the Sam Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in business management, and his business interests are in real estate and construction.[2]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living130 with · 4 against137 votes
On the version voted Apr 16, 2025: Requires employers with more than ten employees to give each minor employee an itemized pay statement showing pay basis, rates of pay, gross pay and deductions each time wages are paid.
Apr 8, 2025 · Failed 14–15 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 16, 2025: Requires a consumer to give a business 30 days' written notice before suing for damages over non-insurance discount health cards, and bars the suit if the business cures the violation and confirms it in writing. Applies retroactively to January 1, 2021.
On the version voted Apr 8, 2025: Appropriates up to $750,000,000 from the Development and Enhancement Fund to the Division of Correction for prison construction.
Requires a constitutional amendment proposed under Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution to receive at least two-thirds of the votes cast to take effect, instead of a majority.
As introduced, requires a county board of election commissioners to hold early voting for primary and general elections at a polling site in each city of more than 15,000 people where the county clerk is not conducting early voting.
Apr 16, 2025 · Failed 15–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jan 29, 2025: Limits recovery of past medical costs in civil damages to amounts actually paid by or for the plaintiff, or amounts still unpaid for which the plaintiff or a third party is legally responsible.
On the version voted Jan 29, 2025: Limits recovery of past medical costs in civil damages to amounts actually paid by or for the plaintiff, or amounts still unpaid for which the plaintiff or a third party is legally responsible.
On the version voted Apr 16, 2025: Bans abortions sought solely because of the unborn child's race, requires providers to ask whether the woman knows the race and request her pregnancy records, and sets criminal, civil and license penalties. Takes effect only if the state's abortion bans are enjoined or amended.
Lets customers of public water systems serving 5,000 or more people hold county fluoridation elections, called by petition of 5% of county judge votes cast or a quorum court vote; a majority in a majority of counties ends fluoridation within 30 days.
Mar 12, 2025 · Failed 16–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Bars state government from requiring child placement agencies to take part in placements that violate their religious or moral beliefs, or from discriminating against foster or adoptive parents over religious beliefs, including refusal of government sexual orientation or gender identity policies; allows claims and damages.
Mar 31, 2025 · Failed 15–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 8, 2025: Requires public schools with grades 6 through 12 to include, from 2025-26, human growth and development instruction with an ultrasound video of early fetal development and an animation of fertilization through birth in classes on human biology, contraception or sexually transmitted diseases.
Apr 15, 2025 · Failed 14–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Abolishes the Arkansas State Library and State Library Board and transfers their powers, staff, property and funds to the Department of Education, with some duties moving to the State Archives.
Lets customers of public water systems serving 5,000 or more people hold county fluoridation elections, called by petition of 5% of county judge votes cast or a quorum court vote; a majority in a majority of counties ends fluoridation within 30 days.
Mar 12, 2025 · Failed 16–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 9, 2025: Requires the Public Service Commission to adopt rules by March 1, 2026 for nonexport facilities, which generate power on site without intentionally feeding it to the utility, including safety standards and expedited interconnection review.
Repeals Arkansas's statewide fluoridation program, ending the requirement that water systems serving 5,000 or more people maintain a Department of Health-set fluoride level.
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Bars cities from enforcing municipal building and zoning rules on county-owned property inside city limits that is used for a public purpose; the county must follow its own building and zoning rules there.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2025: Bars the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code from requiring two or more separate fire apparatus access roads for a residential development outside cities and towns in which every lot is at least one acre.
Apr 16, 2025 · Passed 20–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 7, 2025: Bars governmental entities from contracting to buy electric vehicles or components unless the manufacturer certifies under oath that no forced labor was used in production, with civil penalties for knowingly false certifications.
On the version voted Mar 31, 2025: Requires Arkansas driver's licenses and ID cards to state gender as "M" or "F", matching the applicant's identity document or, if it shows "X" or none, a form the applicant completes; bars "X" or blank entries; allows changes only with an amended birth certificate.
Lets a driver cautiously enter an intersection on a red light after a full stop, if no other traffic is approaching or in the intersection. Other traffic must yield to a vehicle that has entered this way.
On the version voted Mar 31, 2025: Bars people paid to lobby from lobbying for a covered foreign entity, defined to include parties on federal screening or entity lists and those based in or controlled by China or Russia, with penalties escalating from a fine to a felony.
Apr 16, 2025 · Failed 16–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 7, 2025: Bars governmental entities from contracting to buy electric vehicles or components unless the manufacturer certifies under oath that no forced labor was used in production, with civil penalties for knowingly false certifications.
On the version voted Apr 7, 2025: Bars state agencies from using the term "West Bank" in official materials, with the stated intent of using "Judea and Samaria" instead; an agency's executive head may waive the bar and must explain the waiver to the legislature.
Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 22–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 9, 2025: Lets a medical provider temporarily withhold medical records from a patient for up to 30 days to review them and schedule a discussion, if it reasonably believes immediate release could adversely affect the patient's health or safety.
Apr 16, 2025 · Passed 18–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Mar 10, 2025: Adds using a tracking device to follow a person's location or movement without their consent, with purpose to track and no good cause or legal authority, to the offense of harassment. Parents or guardians tracking a minor are exempt.
On the version voted Apr 14, 2025: Requires each public school district and charter school, starting in 2027-28, to install audio recording devices in locker rooms and changing rooms with posted notices, and keep recordings at least 90 days but no more than 12 months absent an allegation.
Voted against most of their party on 9 of 147 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Rights & public safety (4), Climate & energy (2), Jobs & cost of living (1)
TO ENSURE EARLY VOTING ACCESS FOR ARKANSANS RESIDING IN POPULATION CENTERS; AND TO REQUIRE A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO CONDUCT EARLY VOTING IN A CITY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES.
What it does: As introduced, requires a county board of election commissioners to hold early voting for primary and general elections at a polling site in each city of more than 15,000 people where the county clerk is not conductin…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 6–0, Republicans 12–16
TO CREATE THE DOG AND CAT RESCUE ACT: DAISY'S LAW.
What it does: On the version voted Apr 2, 2025: Allows a law enforcement officer, after an animal cruelty complaint, to temporarily secure a dog or cat and place it in appropriate custody if its condition would likely deteriorate,…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 5–0, Republicans 13–14
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS A MINOR.
What it does: On the version voted Apr 16, 2025: Requires employers with more than ten employees to give each minor employee an itemized pay statement showing pay basis, rates of pay, gross pay and deductions each time wages are paid.
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 6–0, Republicans 8–15
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT OF 2015; AND TO ALLOW A STUDENT TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHIN HIS OR HER RESIDENT DISTRICT.
What it does: On the version voted Apr 14, 2025: Extends the Opportunity and Public School Choice Acts to transfers between public schools within a student's resident district, adds a parent's belief that a transfer serves the stud…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–2, Republicans 19–2
TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICES, OFFICERS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
What it does: On the version voted Apr 14, 2025: Bars counties, cities and towns from establishing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or requiring diversity statements, bars treating people differently by race, ethnicity,…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–6, Republicans 22–1
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB1100 · AR SENATE
TO AMEND THE REVENUE STABILIZATION LAW; TO CREATE FUNDS; TO MAKE TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FUNDS AND FUND ACCOUNTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 28, 2026: Sets 2026-27 revenue allocations to state funds, including $6.64 billion in the first allocation tier, and transfers $100 million to a Medicaid set-aside, $70 million to a Children's Educational Freedom Account set-aside, and other amounts to reserve set-asides.
TO AMEND THE REVENUE STABILIZATION LAW; TO CREATE FUNDS; TO MAKE TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FUNDS AND FUND ACCOUNTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 29, 2026: Sets 2026-27 revenue allocations to state funds, including $6.64 billion in the first allocation tier, and transfers $100 million to a Medicaid set-aside, $70 million to a Children's Educational Freedom Account set-aside, and other amounts to reserve set-asides.
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 27, 2026: Appropriates money for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and sets its maximum staff positions and salary rates.
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION - DISBURSING OFFICER SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 27, 2026: Appropriates $1.5 million more for fiscal 2025-2026 for Pregnancy Help Organization grants, on top of the earlier appropriation, and transfers $3.5 million from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund to fund those grants.
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION DIVISION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 29, 2026: Appropriates $550,000 for fiscal 2026-27 to pay the Educational Television Division's Public Broadcasting Service membership dues, matched one-to-one with private donations that must be certified before funds are paid.
TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Bars state agencies from imposing permit moratoriums in watersheds or bodies of water unless adopted by rule and approved by legislative review; approved moratoriums expire after four years unless the Legislative Council approves renewal.
TO AMEND THE REVENUE STABILIZATION LAW; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Amends the Revenue Stabilization Law to set how general revenues are divided monthly among state funds and agencies for fiscal 2025-2026 and later, with the first allocation tier capped at about $6.49 billion. Declares an emergency.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ZONING REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT A MUNICIPALITY FROM ENFORCING BUILDINGS AND ZONING REGULATIONS ON COUNTY PROPERTY.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Bars cities from enforcing municipal building and zoning rules on county-owned property inside city limits that is used for a public purpose; the county must follow its own building and zoning rules there.
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO PAY FOR INCURRED COSTS FOR APPROVED PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 9, 2025: Requires the education division to pay 100% of incurred costs of approved paid maternity leave for public school employees, replacing the current 50-50 split between the state and the school district.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED HOME INSPECTORS.
YesVOTED
Motion: Read the third time and passed.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2025: Requires home inspectors to carry professional liability or errors and omissions insurance approved by the State Insurance Department, instead of general liability insurance.
