Photo: arkleg.state.ar.usAR · Officeholder
RState Representative · District 97
Matthew Shepherd is serving his eighth term in the Arkansas House of Representatives, representing District 97, which includes El Dorado and portions of Union County.[1]
He was Speaker of the House from June 2018 to January 2025, the longest-serving Speaker in the chamber's history according to the House, and practices law at Shepherd & Shepherd, P.A. in El Dorado.[1] Born and raised in El Dorado, he earned a B.A. from Ouachita Baptist University in 1998 and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2001.[1]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-19.
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
Most contested
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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
Most contested
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 ↗
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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
Most contested
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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
Most contested
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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Jan 23, 2025 · Passed 76–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY.
Makes it illegal to build or operate a solid waste landfill that did not exist when the act took effect in the outcrop area of geologic formations, including karst topography. Exempts transfer stations, recycling and composting facilities.
Mar 11, 2025 · Passed 76–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
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 ↗
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 35–39 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
Most contested
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 ↗
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 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
Most contested
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 ↗
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 RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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 ↗
Most contested
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
Voted against most of their party on 13 of 140 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (5), Rights & public safety (4), Health & care (3)
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 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.
What it does: 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 p…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 46–27
Apr 15, 2025Official record ↗
TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE RECORDING A DEED TO REAL ESTATE.
What it does: 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 br…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 4–8, Republicans 47–23
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 yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 7–4, Republicans 16–45
Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗
TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
What it does: 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;…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 17–1, Republicans 27–44
Apr 10, 2025Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
Against most of their party · Failed 46–44 · Yes 46–No 44 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 46–27
Apr 15, 2025Official record ↗
Against most of their party · Failed 40–36 · Yes 40–No 36 · Democrats 18–0, Republicans 22–36
Jan 30, 2025Official record ↗
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 ↗
With most of their party · Failed 53–25 · Yes 53–No 25 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 53–6
Mar 20, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 56–35 · Yes 56–No 35 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 56–17
Mar 10, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 49–38 · Yes 49–No 38 · Democrats 1–17, Republicans 48–21
Apr 7, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 62–29 · Yes 62–No 29 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 62–10
Mar 10, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 51–22 · Yes 51–No 22 · Democrats 0–16, Republicans 51–6
Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗
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.
Motion: Read the third time and failed.
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.
Motion: Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
Motion: Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
Appropriates money for salaries, extra help and operations of Department of Health licensing boards, including the medical, nursing, pharmacy, optometry, psychology and social work boards, for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Motion: Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
Appropriates money for the State Insurance Department for the 2026-27 fiscal year, covering operations, fraud investigation, prepaid funeral programs, continuing education and state and public school employee claims.
Motion: Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
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.
Motion: Read the third time and failed.
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.
Motion: Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
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.
Motion: EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
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.
Motion: Read the third time and failed.
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.
Motion: Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
Appropriates money from the Public School Fund for the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for 2026-27, including about $3.66 billion in the main section, the school computer network, Office of Education Renewal Zones, and sexual risk avoidance education.
Showing 10 of 689 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.