Jim Petty was elected to the Arkansas Senate in 2022; he represents District 29, which includes Crawford County and parts of Washington County.[1]
He is a small business owner and a CPA, and is on the executive leadership team of a multi-state real estate firm.[1]He and his wife, Janet, have lived in Van Buren for over 26 years.[1]
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 living128 with · 2 against132 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.
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.
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 ↗
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.
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 ↗
Abolishes the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board and transfers their powers, duties, staff, property and funds to the Department of Education.
On the version voted Mar 19, 2025: Creates the Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025, listing religious activities students may engage in at public schools (prayer, religious clubs, religious viewpoints in assignments) and requiring districts to give students and employees a copy each year.
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 Mar 31, 2025: Extends the existing ban on local rent-control ordinances to also cover rental application fees and rental deposits for private residential or commercial property.
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.
Mar 11, 2025 · Failed 7–12 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
Sets consumer data privacy rules for larger businesses effective July 1, 2026, letting consumers access, correct, delete and opt out of sale of their personal data; the Attorney General enforces and no private lawsuits are allowed.
Apr 10, 2025 · Failed 17–11 · 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.
Voted against most of their party on 6 of 130 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Rights & public safety (4), Climate & energy (1), Housing & rent (1)
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO PROVIDE A BED HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR MOBILITY ACCESSIBLE ROOMS.
What it does: On the version voted Feb 27, 2025: Requires mobility accessible rooms in new lodging establishments to have a bed no more than 23 inches high, floor to top of mattress; existing establishments must comply only when th…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 6–0, Republicans 12–14
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 AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF.
What it does: On the version voted Mar 13, 2025: Requires a newly elected or appointed sheriff to document with the county clerk within 10 days whether he or she has law enforcement training or eligibility. Without it, the quorum c…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 6–0, Republicans 11–14
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967.
What it does: Limits Freedom of Information Act public meetings to gatherings of more than two members of a governing body, and bars two members who discuss a matter outside a public meeting from relaying another member's position…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 1–5, Republicans 18–5
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF.
What it does: On the version voted Mar 13, 2025: Requires a newly elected or appointed sheriff to document with the county clerk within 10 days whether he or she has law enforcement training or eligibility. Without it, the quorum c…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 4–0, Republicans 11–14
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.
