08-04-2025
Arkansas bill allowing for display of Ten Commandments in classrooms heads to governor's desk
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A bill in the Arkansas legislature that would allow for the display of the Ten Commandments in public places, such as school classrooms, is headed to the governor's desk for her signature.
Senate Bill 433, sponsored by Sen. Jim Dotson (R-Bentonville) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R-Heber Springs), would allow for a copy of the Ten Commandments to be posted in visible places in classrooms alongside copies of the national motto, 'In God We Trust'.
The bill was filed on March 11.
SB433 passed the Senate by a 27-4 vote on March 19 and the House by a 71-20 vote on April 7.
Current Arkansas Code § 1-4-133 allows for the 'In God We Trust' to be posted and displayed if funds are available.
'The copies or posters authorized under this section shall either be donated or shall be purchased solely with funds made available through voluntary contributions to the local school boards, local building governing entity, or the Building Authority Division,' Arkansas code says.
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The bill says the Ten Commandments must be on a 'durable poster or framed copy' and at least 16″ by 20″.
It continues, saying that if a copy of the Ten Commandments does not follow the requirements, an institution can replace it with one that does meet the criteria.
Similar bills have been filed in Oklahoma and Louisiana in recent years.
Sen. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) has filed two bills in the last two legislative sessions that would require the Ten Commandments in Oklahoma classrooms. His 2024 version made it to the Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee but wasn't picked up on the agenda and was effectively killed by former committee chair Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore), according to Nexstar's KFOR.
The 2025 version has had no updates in the Oklahoma legislature since Feb. 4.
In Louisiana, a law that would have required the displaying of the Ten Commandments in classrooms was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge in November 2024.
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