Brian Evans

Votes by issue

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 living267 with · 1 against268 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS; TO ESTABLISH THE E-VERIFY REQUIREMENT ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE ENTITIES TO USE E-VERIFY TO CONFIRM EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.

    Requires state agencies and political subdivisions to verify new hires through E-Verify, bars employing unauthorized aliens, and lets the Department of Labor and Licensing request verification records, with a 30-day cure period for noncompliance starting July 1, 2026.

    Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 76–20 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS; AND TO REQUIRE PRICING INFORMATION FOR LIGHTING COMPONENTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.

    Bars the state, counties, cities and school districts from contracting for a project designed by an electrical engineering firm unless the design allows three-bid specification by three separate lighting agencies. Exempts municipal electric utilities; permits specialty-fixture exceptions.

    Mar 13, 2025 · Failed 35–42 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025.

    On the version voted Apr 10, 2025: Requires state-funded entities with a public physical address to accept SNAP recipients who volunteer there to meet work requirements and to certify their physical presence to the monitoring agency, from January 1, 2026, with exemptions.

    Mar 31, 2025 · Passed 80–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Health & care115 with · 1 against116 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CERTAIN STUDENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Requires the Department of Human Services, with the Department of Education, to set up regional behavioral health programs by January 1, 2026, respond within 48 hours to school requests about students likely to injure themselves or others, develop management plans, and find funding.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Failed 58–28 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A WAIVER TO EXCLUDE CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS FROM ELIGIBLE FOODS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Requires the Department of Human Services to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a waiver excluding candy and soft drinks from foods purchasable with SNAP benefits, and to ban those purchases if granted or re-request the waiver yearly until it is.

    Apr 16, 2025 · Passed 78–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

    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 8, 2025 · Passed 76–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Education & families111 with · 2 against113 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CERTAIN STUDENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Requires the Department of Human Services, with the Department of Education, to set up regional behavioral health programs by January 1, 2026, respond within 48 hours to school requests about students likely to injure themselves or others, develop management plans, and find funding.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Failed 58–28 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

    Adds a Ten Commandments poster or framed copy, at least 16 by 20 inches, to the national motto display in public school and college classrooms and libraries and taxpayer-funded public buildings, using donations or voluntary contributions.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 71–20 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS INFLUENCED THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES TO BE EMBEDDED INTO EXISTING SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

    Requires the State Board of Education, starting 2026-27, to add to grade 6-12 social studies instruction on the founding fathers' religious and moral beliefs and how they influenced the founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence preamble.

    Mar 19, 2025 · Passed 76–19 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Rights & public safety106 with · 0 against106 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE SIGNER TO READ THE BALLOT TITLE OF THE PETITION IN THE PRESENCE OF A CANVASSER; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Mar 11, 2025: Requires a person to read the ballot title, or hear it read aloud, in the canvasser's presence before signing an initiative or referendum petition, and makes it a misdemeanor for a canvasser to knowingly accept a signature without that. Takes effect immediately.

    Mar 10, 2025 · Failed 56–35 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO DISQUALIFY SIGNATURES OBTAINED BY A CANVASSER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Mar 11, 2025: Requires the Secretary of State not to count petition signatures gathered by a canvasser found, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have violated canvassing, perjury, forgery or fraud laws during the current election cycle. Takes effect immediately.

    Mar 10, 2025 · Passed 62–29 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REVIEW BALLOT TITLES FOR CONFLICTS WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL STATUTES; AND TO PROHIBIT THE SUBMISSION OF CONFLICTING INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.

    Lets the Attorney General reject proposed initiated acts and amendments whose text conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or a federal statute, and bars sponsors from submitting multiple conflicting petitions, except after a rejection or after the general election following a certification.

    Feb 10, 2025 · Passed 62–30 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All rights & public safety votes
• ›Climate & energy48 with · 0 against48 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM REGULATING THE SALE OR USE OF A LAWN CARE DEVICE OR IMPOSING A TAX OR FEE ON THE USE OF A LAWN CARE DEVICE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

    Jan 23, 2025 · Passed 76–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

    On the version voted Apr 28, 2026: Appropriates money for the Division of Environmental Quality for 2026-27, covering state and federal operations and programs for wastewater licensing, land reclamation, hazardous waste permits, abandoned mines and surface coal mining.

    Apr 27, 2026 · Failed 66–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER.

    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.

    Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 70–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All climate & energy votes
• ›Transportation27 with · 0 against27 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT THE PROCUREMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR A COMPONENT OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN WHOLE OR IN PART USING FORCED LABOR.

    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.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 74–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF GENDER INFORMATION ON AN ARKANSAS DRIVER’S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD.

    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.

    Mar 31, 2025 · Passed 82–8 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO CREATE A DESIGNATION FOR A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD.

    Requires driver's license and ID card applicants to disclose whether they must register as sex offenders and their Level 3 or 4 classification, and adds a law-enforcement-identifiable designation to cards of those required to register and classified Level 3 or 4.

    Apr 9, 2025 · Passed 84–6 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All transportation votes
• ›Housing & rent21 with · 0 against21 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ZONING REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT A MUNICIPALITY FROM ENFORCING BUILDINGS AND ZONING REGULATIONS ON COUNTY PROPERTY.

    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.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Failed 32–41 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE RECORDING A DEED TO REAL ESTATE.

    Bars county recorders from accepting a real estate deed unless the grantor, or someone signing for the grantor, appears in person with a valid photo ID, with exceptions for deeds presented by attorneys, real estate brokers, lenders, title agents, and government representatives.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 51–31 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS SHALL HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO REGULATE OR CONTROL THE AMOUNT CHARGED FOR A RENTAL APPLICATION FEE OR RENTAL DEPOSIT FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.

    Extends the existing ban on local rent-control ordinances to also cover rental application fees and rental deposits for private residential or commercial property.

    Mar 31, 2025 · Passed 81–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Technology & privacy16 with · 0 against16 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO CREATE ELI'S LAW; AND TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO INSTALL AN AUDIO RECORDING DEVICE IN EACH LOCKER ROOM AND DRESSING ROOM ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUS.

    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.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 71–21 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR DATA CENTERS.

    On the version voted Apr 7, 2025: Amends the data center sales and use tax exemption: adds a qualified large data center category (at least $2 billion invested within ten years), sets qualified data centers at $500 million, and excludes facilities primarily engaged in virtual currency transactions.

    Mar 10, 2025 · Passed 71–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO ALLOW MEDICAL PROVIDERS TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS FROM FEDERAL INFORMATION-BLOCKING REGULATIONS TO SAFEGUARD PATIENTS DURING INFORMATION DISCLOSURE; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    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 9, 2025 · Passed 75–6 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes
• ›Foreign affairs & defense13 with · 0 against13 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING FOR A COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY.

    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.

    Mar 31, 2025 · Passed 78–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT THE PROCUREMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR A COMPONENT OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN WHOLE OR IN PART USING FORCED LABOR.

    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.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 74–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING THE TERM "WEST BANK" IN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MATERIALS.

    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 7, 2025 · Passed 79–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All foreign affairs & defense votes

Where they stood out

Voted with most of their party on all 101 party-divided votes on file.

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

• Yes

  TO REQUIRE THE SIGNER TO READ THE BALLOT TITLE OF THE PETITION IN THE PRESENCE OF A CANVASSER; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  With most of their party · Failed 56–35 · Yes 56–No 35 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 56–17

  Mar 10, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO DISQUALIFY SIGNATURES OBTAINED BY A CANVASSER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  With most of their party · Passed 62–29 · Yes 62–No 29 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 62–10

  Mar 10, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CERTAIN STUDENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  With most of their party · Failed 58–28 · Yes 58–No 28 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 58–11

  Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO RECONSTITUTE THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD.

  With most of their party · Passed 60–29 · Yes 60–No 29 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 60–12

  Apr 15, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO REQUIRE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REVIEW BALLOT TITLES FOR CONFLICTS WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL STATUTES; AND TO PROHIBIT THE SUBMISSION OF CONFLICTING INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.

  With most of their party · Passed 62–30 · Yes 62–No 30 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 62–13

  Feb 10, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS; TO REQUIRE A CANVASSER TO SUBMIT AN AFFIDAVIT BEFORE SIGNATURES CAN BE COUNTED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  With most of their party · Passed 65–27 · Yes 65–No 27 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 65–8

  Feb 25, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO REQUIRE BALLOT TITLES FOR INITIATED MEASURES TO BE AT OR UNDER A CERTAIN READING LEVEL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  With most of their party · Passed 60–23 · Yes 60–No 23 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 60–6

  Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO AMEND THE METHOD OF EXECUTION TO INCLUDE NITROGEN GAS.

  With most of their party · Passed 67–23 · Yes 67–No 23 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 67–5

  Mar 4, 2025Official record ↗