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HB 1791

TO CLARIFY THAT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND THE UNITED NATIONS DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OR POWER IN THIS STATE AND DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE OR IMPLEMENT ACTIONS IN THIS STATE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Bentley and 7 co-sponsors

HB 1791 aimed to ensure the WHO and UN have no power in Arkansas, blocking their mandates on health measures like vaccinations and mask requirements.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1791

Summary of House Bill 1791

Bill Number: HB 1791
Title: To Clarify That the World Health Organization and the United Nations Do Not Have Jurisdiction or Power in This State and Do Not Have Authority to Enforce or Implement Actions in This State
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: March 13, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1791 was introduced to explicitly state that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) do not possess any jurisdiction or enforcement authority within the state of Arkansas. The bill aimed to ensure that mandates or requirements issued by these international organizations could not be enforced or implemented by state or local authorities.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following significant changes to Arkansas law:

  1. Jurisdiction Clarification:

    • The WHO and UN are explicitly stated to have no jurisdiction or power within Arkansas.

  2. Enforcement Restrictions:

    • Any requirements or mandates from the WHO or UN would not be enforceable by:
      • State agencies
      • Local governments (counties, cities, towns, etc.)
      • Other political subdivisions, including school districts and quasi-public entities.

  3. Prohibition on Mandates:

    • The bill would prevent the use of WHO or UN mandates as a basis for:
      • Imposing requirements that contradict Arkansas laws or the state constitution, such as mask mandates, vaccination requirements, or medical testing.
      • Gathering public or private information about Arkansas residents.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1791 would have affected various stakeholders, including:

  • State and Local Governments: They would be prohibited from implementing any actions based on international mandates.
  • Public Health Policies: The bill would limit the state's ability to respond to health crises in alignment with WHO or UN recommendations.
  • Residents of Arkansas: Citizens would not be subject to mandates from these international organizations, potentially impacting public health measures.

Legislative Timeline

  • March 13, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time; rules suspended for a second reading and referred to the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
  • May 5, 2025: The bill died in the House Committee at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress further in the legislative process.

Conclusion

House Bill 1791 sought to assert state sovereignty over public health and governance by limiting the influence of international organizations within Arkansas. Although it did not advance past the committee stage, the bill reflects ongoing discussions about state authority in relation to global health governance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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