everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Bi-partisan Sponsorship
Healthcare

SB9

To Create The Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act; And To Prohibit Manufacturing, Selling, Delivering, Distributing, Holding, Or Offering For Sale A Food Product That Contains Certain Substances.

Passed

Last Action (April 18, 2025): Notification that SB9 is now Act 622

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

The 'Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act' (Senate Bill 9) seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, or offering for sale of food products for human consumption that contain specific chemical additives. The substances restricted by this bill are potassium bromate and propylparaben. Entities found in violation of these prohibitions would be subject to civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General, city attorneys, county attorneys, or prosecuting attorneys. The penalties are capped at $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for any subsequent violations. The provisions of this act are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2028.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries include the general public and consumers in Arkansas who may be concerned about the potential health risks associated with the consumption of potassium bromate and propylparaben. Health advocacy groups and organizations that lobby for tighter regulation of food additives would also view the bill as a positive legislative development.

Who Might Suffer?

Food manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and wholesalers that currently utilize potassium bromate or propylparaben in their products would be negatively impacted. These entities would likely incur costs associated with re-formulating their products, updating supply chains, or removing affected inventory from the Arkansas market to avoid civil penalties. Additionally, businesses that fail to comply could face significant financial hardship due to the legislated civil penalties.

Vote Records

Third Reading

April 9, 2025
Yea: 72 Nay: 10 NV: 18 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House Nay
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House NV
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House NV
Bruce Cozart Republican House NV
David Whitaker Democrat House Nay
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House Nay
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Yea
Dwight Tosh Republican House NV
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Yea
Julie Mayberry Republican House NV
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House NV
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House Yea
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House NV
Carlton Wing Republican House NV
Austin Mccollum Republican House Yea
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Nay
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Yea
Nicole Clowney Democrat House NV
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House NV
Tippi McCullough Democrat House NV
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Nay
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House NV
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Yea
David Ray Republican House Nay
John Carr Republican House NV
Rick McClure Republican House NV
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House NV
Jon Milligan Republican House NV
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Yea
Hope Duke Republican House Yea
Zack Gramlich Republican House Yea
Mindy McAlindon Republican House Yea
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Nay
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Yea
Scott Richardson Republican House Yea
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Nay
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Yea
Ryan Rose Republican House Yea
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House Yea
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Glenn Barnes Democrat House Yea
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House NV
Alyssa Brown Republican House Yea
Nick Burkes Republican House Yea
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House NV
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Nay
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Yea
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Nay

Third Reading

March 31, 2025
Yea: 28 Nay: 4 NV: 2 Absent: 1 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Absent
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Yea
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate NV
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Nay
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Nay
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate NV
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Nay
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Nay
Jamie Scott Democrat Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us