Matt Duffield

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 living192 with · 48 against241 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    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 RepublicansOfficial 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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Health & care105 with · 15 against121 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    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 RepublicansOfficial 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 · against most RepublicansOfficial 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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Rights & public safety93 with · 23 against116 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 · against most RepublicansOfficial 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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All rights & public safety votes
• ›Education & families92 with · 16 against108 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 · against 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 PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE FROM REQUIRING OR TAKING CERTAIN ACTIONS RELATED TO EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.

    Bars school districts and education service cooperatives from requiring employees to meet with an employee organization or professional association, distributing its membership solicitations, or giving such a group or a corporation more favorable access to their facilities and resources than others.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 77–18 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Climate & energy40 with · 7 against47 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    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 RepublicansOfficial 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 · 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 · 1 against28 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 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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All transportation votes
• ›Housing & rent15 with · 5 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.

    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 15, 2025 · Passed 62–26 · with most RepublicansOfficial 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 33–49Official 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 ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Technology & privacy6 with · 8 against14 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 · against most RepublicansOfficial 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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes
• ›Foreign affairs & defense12 with · 1 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 against most of their party on 31 of 110 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Rights & public safety (20), Jobs & cost of living (5), Education & families (4)

• TO AMEND THE REVENUE STABILIZATION LAW; TO CREATE FUNDS; TO MAKE TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FUNDS AND FUND ACCOUNTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  What it does: 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-as…

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 5–13, Republicans 59–17

  Apr 28, 2026Official record ↗

• TO AMEND THE REVENUE STABILIZATION LAW; TO CREATE FUNDS; TO MAKE TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FUNDS AND FUND ACCOUNTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  What it does: 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-as…

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 6–12, Republicans 67–10

  Apr 28, 2026Official record ↗

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

  Apr 16, 2026Official record ↗

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

  What it does: 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 17–0, Republicans 25–34

  Apr 16, 2025Official record ↗

• TO RECONSTITUTE THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD.

  What it does: Ends the terms of all current State Library Board members and has the Governor appoint seven new members with staggered terms of one, three, five, and seven years drawn by lot.

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 60–12

  Apr 15, 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 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.

  Against 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.

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

  Apr 10, 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.

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

  Mar 10, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  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.

  Against 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.

  Against 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.

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

  Mar 5, 2025Official record ↗