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Arkansas House Committee passes anti-affirmative action bill, heads to full House

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – There was an emotional debate Wednesday as an Arkansas House Committee considered a bill aiming to prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment favoring an individual or group 'on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in matters of state employment, public education, or state procurement.' The bill would not change preferences provided to veterans and not prohibit religious-based preferences. Arkansas Senate passes bill to end affirmative action, bill headed to House Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville) is one of the bill's sponsors. 'It is time for Arkansas to move forward and time for Arkansas to catch up with the law and to eliminate state-sanctioned discrimination and preferential treatment,' Bentley said. Daisy Onoriobe spoke against the bill. 'SB3 doesn't prohibit discrimination it dismantles policies that were designed to ensure access to opportunity for those who have historically been denied it,' Onoriobe said. Arkansas lawmakers respond to Supreme Court decision rolling back affirmative action Much of the debate surrounded merit. Supporters of the bill believe hiring, school admissions and more should be merit-based. 'We need to base things on merit, it shouldn't matter what color their skin are, what should matter is that they're getting the best and the brightest in those positions and that they're addressing those areas of critical needs,' Bentley said. But some say the chance to show merit in the first place is being taken away through this bill. Discussion of the scope of the bill occurred after testimony saying schools might be cautious in how they approach any kind of extra access leading Representative Julie Mayberry to vote against the bill.'I want to feel confident that this does not inadvertently affect students who have 504S and IEPs,' Mayberry said. Leaders grapple with end of affirmative action This bill passed through a Senate Committee and the full Senate last week and now moves to the full House after it passed through House committee today. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.