Tara Shephard

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 · 8 against271 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 & care124 with · 0 against124 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 ↗

  • 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 ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Rights & public safety99 with · 7 against106 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 & families93 with · 6 against100 votes

  Most contested

  • 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 ↗

  • No

    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.

    Lets students transfer to another public school within their resident district under the school choice laws, requires districts to adopt and post a transfer policy, and lets a district claim lack of capacity once 95% of grade-level seats are filled.

    Apr 9, 2025 · Passed 59–30 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    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 DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Climate & energy38 with · 1 against40 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
• ›Transportation21 with · 0 against22 votes

  Most contested

  • 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 ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RAILROADS; AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF TAMPERING WITH RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Creates the Class D felony of tampering with rail infrastructure, covering recklessly obstructing or interfering with tracks, signals, trains and related equipment without lawful authority, plus related assaults, threats and false reports.

    Mar 20, 2025 · Passed 90–6 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All transportation votes
• ›Housing & rent15 with · 1 against16 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.

    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 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 ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF A COUNTY PLANNING BOARD.

    Requires a majority of a county planning board's voting members to live in an unincorporated area of the county.

    Mar 31, 2025 · Passed 81–9 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Technology & privacy16 with · 0 against16 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.

    On the version voted Apr 14, 2025: 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 8, 2025 · Passed 60–12 · 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 ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO INCLUDE DIGITAL MEDIA STANDARDS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE LIBRARY MEDIA STANDARDS.

    Requires the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, by the 2026-27 school year, to add digital media standards to the K-12 library media standards, covering digital citizenship, digital wellness, internet safety, social media literacy and proper use of artificial intelligence.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 65–15 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes
• ›Foreign affairs & defense8 with · 0 against8 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    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 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF A HOSTILE FOREIGN PRINCIPAL; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1990.

    Requires representatives of hostile foreign principals (China, Russia, North Korea, Iran) and political organizations that received money from them within five years to register with the Secretary of State and update filings.

    Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 85–11 · 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 ↗

  All foreign affairs & defense votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 12 of 92 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Education & families (6), Rights & public safety (5), Jobs & cost of living (2)

• TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  What it does: Transfers the Arkansas School for the Blind and the Arkansas School for the Deaf, with their functions, staff, property and funds, to the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind, and updates state law references. Decla…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 4–8, Republicans 80–0

  Apr 15, 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 ↗

• TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A RECALL ELECTION AND PETITION FOR REMOVAL FOR A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

  What it does: Makes school district board members subject to recall by majority vote of voters, on a petition signed by at least 35% of eligible electors, with signatures verified by the county clerk and the election held at the ne…

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 6–11, Republicans 68–7

  Apr 10, 2025Official record ↗

• THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT.

  What it does: Proposes a constitutional amendment allowing only U.S. citizens who meet the state's elector qualifications to vote in any state or local election in Arkansas.

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 3–6, Republicans 79–0

  Apr 7, 2025Official record ↗

• APPLYING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS FOR AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION OF THE STATES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO IMPOSE TERM LIMITS OF MEMBERS FOR THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

  What it does: Applies to Congress for an Article V convention limited to proposing a constitutional amendment that sets term limits for members of the U.S. House and Senate.

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 6–10, Republicans 44–21

  Apr 1, 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 ↗

• 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 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 ↗