Modifies guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bennie Cook

Prohibits government bodies from using public funds to contract with external lobbyists or pay dues to lobbying organizations; only in-house lobbying by staff is allowed.

Prefiled (H)

#childrenandminors #education #elementaryandsecondary #higher #elementaryandsecondaryeducation #dept.of #entertainment #sportsandamusements #highereducationandworkforcedevelopment #departmentof

Summary — HB 1973

Note on source documents: The materials provided include multiple, conflicting items (an Arkansas statute amendment, an unrelated Illinois appropriation provision, and a different bill title about student athletic participation). This summary focuses on the principal legislative text in the packet that amends Arkansas law (Ark. Code § 21-8-608) because that text is the clearest substantive provision.

Purpose

To prohibit governmental bodies from using state or local public funds to contract with external lobbyists (including through memberships that fund organizational lobbying) to lobby on the governmental body’s behalf. The measure seeks to limit use of public monies for external lobbying services while allowing governmental employers to hire internal staff to perform lobbying.

Key provisions

Adds Ark. Code § 21-8-608 (new).

Prohibition: A “governmental body” shall not use state or local funds to enter into a contract with a lobbyist for the purpose of lobbying on behalf of the governmental body. (Subsection (a))

Broad interpretation of prohibition: Explicitly includes using public funds to pay membership dues to organizations that engage in lobbying on behalf of the governmental body (for example, paying dues to an association that employs registered lobbyists), where state or local funds are used to pay those dues. (Subsection (b))

Exception: The section does not prohibit a governmental body from employing one or more individuals (including registered lobbyists) as employees to engage in lobbying on behalf of the governmental body. In other words, internal staff lobbying funded by the governmental body is allowed. (Subsection (c))

Who is affected

State agencies, departments, boards, commissions, school districts, municipalities, counties, and other entities classified as “governmental bodies” under Arkansas law.

Trade associations or membership organizations that receive public funds via dues and then employ lobbyists to represent government entities.

External lobbying firms and independent contract lobbyists that currently receive public contracts.

Implementation & timeline

The bill text is filed as part of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly (introduced Jan 22, 2025).

Provided legislative action notes indicate passage and executive approval and list an effective date of September 1, 2025; because the packet contains mixed records, interested parties should confirm enactment and effective date in the official Arkansas legislative database.

Potential impacts and considerations

Reduces or eliminates use of public funds to retain external lobbyists and may decrease government participation in association-led lobbying efforts paid with public money.

Could shift lobbying activity toward hiring in-house staff or reallocating funds.

May produce administrative changes (policy revisions, contract termination, review of dues payments).

Legal and practical questions could arise about what constitutes a prohibited “contract” or whether certain association activities are sufficiently “on behalf of” a governmental body to trigger the ban — likely requiring agency guidance or judicial interpretation.

Entities should audit current contracts and dues payments to assess compliance and adjust budgeting.

If you want, I can: (1) produce suggested compliance steps for a municipal government or school district, or (2) check official legislative records to confirm enactment and the final effective date for the Arkansas version.