Breaking Down Section 2 of SB3

Bill Title:  An Act To Prohibit Discrimination Or Preferential Treatment By The State Of Arkansas And Other Public Entities; And For Other Purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Dan Sullivan, Rep. Mary Bentley

Committee: House State Agencies, 10 a.m. Feb 3

Section 2 of Senate Bill 3 (SB3) changes how liquor permits are issued in Arkansas. It removes rules that protect local communities from being overrun by big liquor stores and focuses only on "benefits for consumers." But here’s the problem: this section has nothing to do with the rest of the bill, which is about discrimination. Worse, it takes away your right to have a say in what happens in your community.

How Does Section 2 Take Away Your Rights?

Your Community Loses Its Voice:

• Right now, the state considers whether a new liquor store will harm local businesses or disrupt the community. Section 2 removes this protection.
• What happens? Big liquor chains can move in without considering the needs or concerns of residents. You lose your say in what happens in your own neighborhood.

Tourists Get More Say Than You Do:

• Section 2 focuses on "benefits for consumers," but many of those consumers are tourists—people who don’t live here and don’t have to deal with the long-term impacts of more liquor stores.
• What happens? Tourists get cheaper drinks and more options, but you get more liquor stores in your community, whether you want them or not. Your voice is silenced, while outsiders get what they want.

How Does Section 2 Indirectly Discriminate?

Recovering Alcoholics (Disability):

• For people recovering from alcoholism, having more liquor stores in the community can make it harder to stay sober. Section 2 ignores their needs and prioritizes profits over their health.
• What happens? Recovering alcoholics face more triggers and fewer safe spaces in their own neighborhoods.

People Who Don’t Drink for Religious Reasons:

• Many Arkansans don’t drink for religious reasons. Section 2 forces more liquor stores into their communities, even if it goes against their values.
• What happens? Religious communities lose control over what businesses operate in their areas, undermining their way of life.

Adults Aged 18-20:

• Adults under 21 can’t legally drink, but Section 2 prioritizes the interests of alcohol consumers over theirs. This age group gets no say in how their community is shaped.
• What happens? Young adults are left with fewer community spaces that cater to their needs, as more businesses focus on alcohol sales.

Why Does This Matter for Tourism?

Arkansas is a tourist destination, and visitors love our local charm. But if Section 2 passes:

• Tourists will have more say about liquor permits than you do.
• Local businesses that make our towns unique could be pushed out by big chains.
• Your community’s character could be lost, making Arkansas less attractive to visitors in the long run.

What Can You Do?

• Contact your state legislators and tell them to remove Section 2 from SB3. It doesn’t belong in a bill about discrimination!
• Speak up for your community’s rights. Don’t let outsiders decide what’s best for your neighborhood.
• Spread the word to friends and neighbors about how Section 2 takes away your voice.