Arkansas SB520: TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICES, OFFICERS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

What the bill says

An act to be entitled an act to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, officers, policies, or practices in local government; and for other purposes. subtitle to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, officers, policies, or practices in local government.

From the enrolled text:

An Act To Be Entitled AN ACT TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICES, OFFICERS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICES, OFFICERS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 14, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, is amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 14-1-111. Diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, officers, policies, or practices prohibited ---- Definitions. (a) As used in this section: (1) "Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative" means: (A) An office, division, department, or administrative provider of a unit of local government with the purpose of: (i) Influencing administrative, hiring, or employment practices at the local government; (ii) Promoting: (a) Preferences based upon race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; (b) Differential treatment on the basis of race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or (c) Political or social activism to consider *SSS202* 04-08-2025 14:31:36 SSS202 As Engrossed: S4/8/25 SB520 race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin as factors in decisionmaking, except when required by federal or state law; or (iii) Any promotion described in subdivision (a)(1)(A)(ii) of this section that conflicts with state and federal antidiscrimination laws; or (B) Any program, policy, practice, or applicant statement, described under …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Dan Sullivan (R, 20) · primary sponsor
• Alyssa Brown (R, 41)

Latest actions

1. April 18, 2025: Notification that SB520 is now Act 747
2. April 15, 2025: DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
3. April 15, 2025: Reported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4. April 14, 2025: ORDERED ENROLLED
5. April 14, 2025: Returned from the House as passed.
6. April 14, 2025: Returned to the Senate as passed.
7. April 14, 2025: Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
8. April 9, 2025: Returned by the Committee Do Pass
9. April 8, 2025: Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- HOUSE
10. April 8, 2025: RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

Votes

• House Roll Call #1253 (April 14, 2025): 68 yea, 22 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #962 (April 8, 2025): 22 yea, 7 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #191 (February 12, 2025): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Roll Call #79 (February 4, 2025): 96 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB520?

SB520 is a bill in the Arkansas Legislature (95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)): TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICES, OFFICERS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

What does SB520 do?

In its own words: An act to be entitled an act to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, officers, policies, or practices in local government; and for other purposes. subtitle to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, officers, policies, or practices in local government.

What is the status of SB520?

Chaptered as of April 18, 2025. Latest action: Notification that SB520 is now Act 747 (April 18, 2025).

Who sponsored SB520?

Dan Sullivan (R, 20), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB520?

On the Arkansas Legislature website: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R&measureno=SB520