Glenn Barnes

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 Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

• ›Jobs & cost of living263 with · 9 against272 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOFT DRINK TAX ACT, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 1 OF 1994; AND TO PHASE OUT THE SOFT DRINK TAX BASED ON SALES TAX COLLECTIONS FROM SALES OF SOFT DRINKS.

    Phases down the soft drink syrup tax from $1.26 per gallon to 96 cents and then lower, as state sales tax revenue from soft drinks reaches thresholds starting at $16 million; requires an annual revenue estimate.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Failed 49–38 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - CONTINUING EDUCATION OF LOCAL OFFICIALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

    On the version voted Apr 21, 2026: Appropriates money for fiscal 2026-2027 for continuing-education and certification programs for county clerks, circuit clerks, county treasurers and collectors ($75,000 each) and county coroners ($125,000).

    Apr 16, 2026 · Failed 30–52 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Education & families107 with · 13 against120 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT LIVE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR PURPOSES OF PARTICIPATING IN AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY.

    Removes the requirement that a homeschooled student live within 25 miles of a private school to take part in its interscholastic activities, keeping the notice and academic eligibility requirements.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 58–25 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

    Lets a school district or open-enrollment charter school allow a private school student to join an interscholastic activity there when the student's private school lacks that activity approved by the Arkansas Activities Association.

    Apr 9, 2025 · Passed 56–32 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Health & care117 with · 3 against120 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM SOLICITING INJURED INDIVIDUALS; AND TO SET PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE PROHIBITION OF SOLICITATION OF INJURED INDIVIDUALS.

    Bars medical professionals from soliciting people injured in an accident or disaster for treatment unless they have a prior relationship or 30 days have passed; makes violation a Class D felony and voids related payment agreements.

    Jan 30, 2025 · Failed 40–36 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

    Requires health benefit plans to pay providers a minimum reimbursement level set by the Insurance Commissioner from neighboring states' commercial-to-Medicare price ratios, phased in from 45% in 2026 to 100% in 2030; insurers must document compliance.

    Apr 10, 2025 · Failed 44–45 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Rights & public safety101 with · 18 against120 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM SOLICITING INJURED INDIVIDUALS; AND TO SET PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE PROHIBITION OF SOLICITATION OF INJURED INDIVIDUALS.

    Bars medical professionals from soliciting people injured in an accident or disaster for treatment unless they have a prior relationship or 30 days have passed; makes violation a Class D felony and voids related payment agreements.

    Jan 30, 2025 · Failed 40–36 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO CREATE THE ONLY CITIZENS VOTE ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS OF CERTAIN NONCITIZENS; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, SECTION 13.

    Removes concealed handgun licenses, college employee badges and public assistance cards from accepted voter ID, and excludes noncitizen licenses. Requires monthly checks of noncitizen license holders against voter rolls, with matches cancelled and referred to the Attorney General for prosecution.

    Mar 20, 2025 · Failed 53–25 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All rights & public safety votes
• ›Climate & energy46 with · 1 against47 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PLACE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ON AN INDIVIDUAL PLANNING A CROP RESIDUE BURN; AND TO ADDRESS LIABILITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS FOLLOWED CROP RESIDUE BURN REQUIREMENTS.

    Requires crop residue burns to be reported to the Department of Agriculture and follow state smoke management guidelines, and shields those who comply from civil liability unless the claimant proves negligence.

    Apr 3, 2025 · Failed 33–40 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial 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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All climate & energy votes
• ›Transportation27 with · 2 against31 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 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO ESTABLISH THE PREGNANCY PARKING ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PARKING FOR A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY SPECIAL CERTIFICATE TO PREGNANT WOMEN.

    Creates the Pregnancy Parking Act, letting a physician-confirmed pregnant woman get a temporary disability parking certificate that expires one year after she gives birth.

    Mar 19, 2025 · Failed 35–39Official record ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE EXCURSION TRAIN PERMIT TO INCLUDE EXCURSION BOATS.

    Lets operators of excursion boats, as well as excursion trains, apply to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division for a permit to sell and serve alcoholic beverages on scheduled, fixed-route trips.

    Feb 6, 2025 · Passed 63–17 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

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

  Most contested

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

    Bars cities, towns and counties from banning short-term rentals or capping their number jurisdiction-wide, while letting them require permits with fees and owner contact information, and suspend permits after repeated violations or a felony at the rental.

    Apr 8, 2025 · Failed 33–49 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Technology & privacy18 with · 0 against18 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEM ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS BY PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, PRIVATE LEASEHOLDER, AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES.

    Allows private landowners, leaseholders and commercial businesses to use automatic license plate readers to monitor access to their property, limits their data retention to 60 days, bars selling the data, and requires a subpoena for government to compel its release.

    Apr 9, 2025 · Passed 56–27 · with most DemocratsOfficial 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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes
• ›Foreign affairs & defense7 with · 3 against10 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial 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 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROHIBITED CONTRACTS BY STATE AGENCIES; AND TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY STATE AGENCIES TO PURCHASE PROMOTIONAL ITEMS MADE IN CHINA.

    On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Bars state agencies from spending public funds on promotional items, such as pens, mugs, and clothing, that are made in China, and renames the subchapter on prohibited contracts to "Prohibited Actions by State Agencies."

    Mar 18, 2025 · Passed 79–15 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All foreign affairs & defense votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 33 of 113 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Education & families (13), Rights & public safety (10), Jobs & cost of living (8)

• AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION - DISBURSING OFFICER SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.

  What it does: 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…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 5–11, Republicans 76–1

  Apr 27, 2026Official record ↗

• TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.

  What it does: Applies petition procedures for statewide initiatives and referendums to local ones: sponsors file drafts and canvasser lists with the county clerk, who reviews ballot titles and counts signatures in place of the Atto…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 4–13, Republicans 69–7

  Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗

• TO REQUIRE PERMITTED COMMON CARRIERS TO SUBMIT REPORTS DETAILING SHIPMENTS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INTO THE STATE.

  What it does: Requires common carriers that ship alcoholic beverages to Arkansas consumers to submit quarterly shipment reports to the Department of Finance and Administration.

  Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 7–4, Republicans 16–45

  Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗

• 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: 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 student's best interest as a ground, an…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 4–12, Republicans 73–4

  Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗

• TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025.

  What it does: 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, 20…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 5–9, Republicans 79–0

  Apr 10, 2025Official record ↗

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 PROHIBIT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM SOLICITING INJURED INDIVIDUALS; AND TO SET PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE PROHIBITION OF SOLICITATION OF INJURED INDIVIDUALS.

  With most of their party · Failed 40–36 · Yes 40–No 36 · Democrats 18–0, Republicans 22–36

  Jan 30, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

  With most of their party · Failed 44–45 · Yes 44–No 45 · Democrats 17–1, Republicans 27–44

  Apr 10, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  TO CREATE THE ONLY CITIZENS VOTE ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS OF CERTAIN NONCITIZENS; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, SECTION 13.

  With most of their party · Failed 53–25 · Yes 53–No 25 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 53–6

  Mar 20, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  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 ↗

• No

  TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOFT DRINK TAX ACT, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 1 OF 1994; AND TO PHASE OUT THE SOFT DRINK TAX BASED ON SALES TAX COLLECTIONS FROM SALES OF SOFT DRINKS.

  With most of their party · Failed 49–38 · Yes 49–No 38 · Democrats 1–17, Republicans 48–21

  Apr 7, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  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 ↗

• No

  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 ↗

• No

  TO REMOVE RACIAL AND GENDER QUOTAS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COUNCILS, AND COMMISSIONS.

  With most of their party · Passed 61–27 · Yes 61–No 27 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 61–9

  Mar 5, 2025Official record ↗