Jay Richardson

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 living265 with · 10 against275 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    TO CREATE THE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN PRACTICE ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS IN ARKANSAS; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NATURAL MEDICINE.

    Creates a licensing system for naturopathic physicians overseen by a new Arkansas State Board of Natural Medicine, defining their scope of practice, education requirements, background checks, and unlicensed-practice prohibition.

    Apr 15, 2025 · Failed 46–44 · with most DemocratsOfficial 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.

    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 ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS A MINOR.

    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 16, 2025 · Failed 42–34 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Health & care121 with · 4 against125 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    TO CREATE THE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN PRACTICE ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS IN ARKANSAS; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NATURAL MEDICINE.

    Creates a licensing system for naturopathic physicians overseen by a new Arkansas State Board of Natural Medicine, defining their scope of practice, education requirements, background checks, and unlicensed-practice prohibition.

    Apr 15, 2025 · Failed 46–44 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • 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 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 · Passed 51–22 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Rights & public safety102 with · 8 against110 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
• ›Education & families102 with · 4 against106 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 · Passed 51–22 · 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
• ›Climate & energy45 with · 2 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 ↗

  • 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 · against 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
• ›Transportation21 with · 3 against25 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    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 ↗

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial 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 & rent19 with · 0 against19 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 ↗

  • Yes

    TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES ACT; AND TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES PROGRAM FUND.

    Creates the Strengthen Arkansas Homes Program within the State Insurance Department, funded by a new program fund, to give grants to property owners and nonprofits for upgrading single-family homes to FORTIFIED wind-damage construction standards.

    Apr 1, 2025 · Passed 56–25 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Technology & privacy17 with · 1 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 ↗

  • No

    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 · against 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 & defense5 with · 0 against5 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    TO PROHIBIT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES WITH A PROHIBITED FOREIGN PARTY.

    Bars institutions of higher education from conducting classified research, conducting contracted agricultural research, selling or producing agricultural products, or entering nondisclosure agreements with a prohibited foreign party.

    Mar 17, 2025 · Passed 81–13 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO AMEND VARIOUS LAWS CONCERNING ACTIONS RELATED TO CERTAIN FOREIGN ENTITIES.

    Withholds state funding from public colleges that host a Confucius Institute, bars them from investing in Chinese companies, and prohibits cities from forming or keeping sister-city ties with parties from countries under U.S. arms-trade restrictions.

    Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 84–10 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO GRANT ACCESS TO ITS FACILITIES TO MILITARY RECRUITERS; AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN STATE-SUPPORTED POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO GRANT ACCESS TO ITS FACILITIES TO MILITARY RECRUITERS.

    Requires public high schools to give military recruiters access to students in grades 10-12 on the same basis as employers and colleges, with no extra privacy, administrative or parental consent barriers.

    Mar 12, 2025 · Passed 96–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All foreign affairs & defense votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 7 of 94 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (3), Rights & public safety (3), Climate & energy (1)

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

  What it does: 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 cou…

  Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 15–2, Republicans 15–50

  Apr 16, 2026Official record ↗

• A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 2, § 5, TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.

  What it does: Proposes amending the Constitution's right to keep and bear arms to add lawful hunting, recreation and any other lawful purpose, cover ammunition, firearm accessories and components, and call the right natural, fundam…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 5–10, Republicans 81–0

  Apr 15, 2025Official record ↗

• TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FOR A PETITION FOR A LOCAL OPTION ELECTION.

  What it does: Changes local option petition rules: signers must read the ballot title or hear it read, canvassers must disclose that petition fraud is a crime, check photo ID and file affidavits, and clerks may not count signatures…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 5–12, Republicans 66–8

  Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗

• TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW.

  What it does: Requires unemployment claimants to create a state job board account and report their five weekly work search contacts. The board matches claimants to open jobs whose requirements they meet at least 75 percent, and cla…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 4–11, Republicans 79–0

  Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗

• TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COMPLAINTS OF ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS; AND TO AMEND THE DEADLINES FOR COMPLAINTS OF ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS.

  What it does: Changes the window to file election law complaints with the State Board of Election Commissioners to 49 days before through 49 days after an election, and changes when investigation records become public.

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 7–8, Republicans 81–0

  Mar 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

• No

  TO CREATE THE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN PRACTICE ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS IN ARKANSAS; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NATURAL MEDICINE.

  With most of their party · Failed 46–44 · Yes 46–No 44 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 46–27

  Apr 15, 2025Official record ↗

• 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 ↗

• 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 · Passed 51–22 · Yes 51–No 22 · Democrats 0–16, Republicans 51–6

  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 ↗