Arkansas House and Senate convene for the last day of the session

Arkansas lawmakers are concluding their 95th legislative session, with several significant bills moving toward the governor's desk. Senate Bill 612, passed by the Senate, establishes a private right of action against social media platforms for causing harm, particularly in cases involving minors' suicides. Another contentious piece of legislation, the bathroom bill (SB486), requires individuals to use public facilities according to their gender at birth, sparking debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Republican Rep. Mary Bentley defended the bill as a measure for safety and privacy, while opponents like Evelyn Rios Stafford raised concerns about its potential harm to transgender individuals.

Governor Sarah Sanders vetoed two bills on Wednesday, including one that would have expanded marijuana access and another funding a diversity position at the University of Arkansas. She criticized the latter as an unnecessary expenditure, stating, "Arkansas will not waste nearly $200,000 in taxpayer dollars on DEI administrators. " These legislative developments highlight the ongoing tensions between social issues and governance in Arkansas. As the session concludes, it remains to be seen how these laws will impact the state's residents.