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Bi-partisan Sponsorship
Veterans & Military

SB497

To Require The Creation Of A Poster Regarding Veterans' Benefits And Services; And To Require Certain Employers To Display The Poster.

Passed

Last Action (April 18, 2025): Notification that SB497 is now Act 655

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 497 requires the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to create and distribute a poster detailing various veterans' benefits and services. The mandatory information on this poster includes contact details for state and federal veteran programs, mental health and substance abuse resources, employment and training services, tax information, legal assistance, and the Veterans Crisis Line. Employers within the state that maintain 50 or more full-time equivalent employees are required to display this poster in a conspicuous and accessible location in their workplace. The legislation aims to increase awareness of available support services among the veteran population within the workforce.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are military veterans employed by businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent staff. These individuals will gain easier access to information regarding state and federal benefits, including mental health, substance abuse, educational, and employment resources, as well as critical crisis intervention contacts. Additionally, state agencies involved in veterans' advocacy benefit from a streamlined method of disseminating information to the public.

Who Might Suffer?

Employers in Arkansas with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees are the primary group negatively impacted, as they will face new, albeit minor, regulatory requirements to obtain and display the mandated poster. While the cost is likely minimal, the bill adds an incremental administrative obligation to these businesses regarding workplace compliance and the physical management of signage.

Vote Records

Third Reading

April 9, 2025
Yea: 59 Nay: 9 NV: 32 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House Yea
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House NV
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House NV
Jon Eubanks Republican House NV
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Nay
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Nay
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House NV
Stephen Magie Democrat House Yea
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Nay
Jack Ladyman Republican House NV
Robin Lundstrum Republican House NV
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House NV
Julie Mayberry Republican House NV
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House Yea
Marcus Richmond Republican House NV
Deann Vaught Republican House NV
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House NV
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Nay
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House Yea
Johnny Rye Republican House NV
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 Yea
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House NV
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Nay
Tippi McCullough Democrat House NV
Jay Richardson Democrat House NV
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House NV
David Ray Republican House NV
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House NV
RJ Hawk Republican House NV
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Nay
Hope Duke Republican House Nay
Zack Gramlich Republican House NV
Mindy McAlindon Republican House NV
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House NV
Steve Unger Republican House NV
Wayne Long Republican House NV
Scott Richardson Republican House Nay
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House NV
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 NV
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House NV
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 NV
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Nay
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House NV
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Yea
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Yea

Third Reading

April 7, 2025
Yea: 35 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 0 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 Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Yea
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Yea
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
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 Yea
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