HB1972 & SB739 -NATURAL IMMUNITY EXEMPTION – SUPPORT
HB1972 by Representative Josh Bryant and SB739 by Senator Kim Hammer are identical bills or in the process of being made identical. The bills would establish a natural immunity exception to the vaccine by showing the presence of antibodies, a T cell response, or proof of a previous positive test for COVID-19 or its variants.
While the legislation should be supported, unfortunately, it is being called a “compromise bill” which means it may be the only protection passed. If so, workers who cannot show immunity are still subject to termination by employers mandating vaccination.
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SB731 – VACCINE STATUS PRIVATE – SUPPORT
SB731 by Senator Bob Ballinger would establish a right of privacy regarding vaccination status. It would prohibit employers from requiring the disclosure of an individual’s vaccination status and from retaliating against an individual for exercising that right to privacy. An employee or individual who is injured by an employer in violation of the bill will have the remedies and procedures available under the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993, § 16-123-101 et seq.
SB731 is the broadest bill on protecting employees from vaccine mandates.
Unfortunately, Senator Ballinger said he will hold the bill, if SB739 concerning a natural immunity exemption passes. Even if the natural immunity bill passes, without SB731 unvaccinated workers who do not have natural immunity will not be protected from termination.
Sen. Ballinger explained that even if he could get his bill passed with a majority it is unlikely his bill could get the 2/3rd majority in the Senate and House necessary to pass an emergency clause to make it effective immediately. Without the passage of the emergency clause the bill cannot become law until sometime in January, which is long after most employer deadlines pass for taking the vaccine. Even without the emergency clause this bill should be passed to show employers their vaccine mandates are out of step with Arkansas.
SB731 is the bill many legislators do not want to vote on because it will put them at odds with big corporations such as Walmart, Tyson, and several hospitals.
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SB730-UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS – SUPPORT
SB730 by Senator Trent Garner allows employees terminated for not being vaccinated to be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Employers are claiming the termination of unvaccinated employees is due to employees voluntarily leaving, not a firing. This bill clarifies that these employees have been terminated by the employers and are eligible for unemployment benefits.
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SB732-COERCION PROHIBITED – NEEDS SUBSTANTIAL REVISION BEFORE WILL BE HELPFUL
SB732 by Senator Blake Johnson prohibits employer coercion of employees to get them to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Coercion does not include positive incentives.
The prohibition on coercion only applies if the unvaccinated employee is claiming a medical or religious exemption. Also it is unclear what happens if the employer coerces the employee in violation of the bill. The bill does not state any penalty or consequence for a violation.
Although the bill requires an employer to “consider” an employee’s exemption claim, the employer can reject the claim and the bill does not provide any standards for considering or rejecting an exemption. At least the bill provides a consequence if the employer totally fails to consider an exemption claim. If the employer fails to consider the exemption claim, the employee can seek lost wages. Although the bill says “lost wages” the bill limits reimbursement to a sum comparable to unemployment benefits through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pub. L. No. 117-2, or any other federal funds that may become available.
In its current form this bill is confusing and doesn’t do much.
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CONCLUSION
SB731 is the bill you want passed if you oppose vaccine mandates because it proposes to keep vaccination status private.
The natural immunity exception proposed by HB1972 & SB738 is the second most important legislation being considered. It helps some workers but many will not be protected from termination.
SB730 clarifies that a person who is terminated for refusing the vaccine is eligible for unemployment
Be sure to reach out to these Senators in particular, we will need their vote. Tell them to fight for medical and health freedom and that you are watching their votes and they will be held accountable.
First Name | Last Name | Phone Number | District | Party affiliation | Representative or Senator |
Cecile | Bledsoe | cecile.bledsoe@senate.ar.gov | 479-636-2115 | 3 | Republican | Senator |
Ronald | Caldwell | ronald.caldwell@senate.ar.gov | 501-682-6107 | 23 | Republican | Senator |
Jonathan | Dismang | dismang28@gmail.com | 501-766-8220 | 28 | Republican | Senator |
Lance | Eads | lance.eads@senate.ar.gov | 479-435-5139 | 7 | Republican | Senator |
Jane | English | jane.english@senate.ar.gov | 501-257-7670 | 34 | Republican | Senator |
Jimmy | Hickey JR | jimmy.hickey@senate.ar.gov | 870-772-4444 | 11 | Republican | Senator |
Ricky | Hill | ricky.hill@senate.ar.gov | 501-286-2285 | 29 | Republican | Senator |
Missy | Irvin | missy.irvin@senate.ar.gov | 870-269-2703 | 18 | Republican | Senator |
Matthew | Pitsch | mathew.pitsch@senate.ar.gov | 479-883-2072 | 8 | Republican | Senator |
Bill | Sample | bill.sample@senate.ar.gov | 501-627-5386 | 14 | Republican | Senator |
James | Sturch | james.sturch@senate.ar.gov | 870-612-7589 | 19 | Republican | Senator |
Contact your personal State Senator and State Representative as well as Speaker Representative Matt Shepherd and Senate Pro temp Senator Jimmy Hickey. Here is how.
First Name | Last Name | Phone Number | District | Party affiliation | Representative or Senator | |
Fred | Allen | fredallen99@comcast.net | 501-804-7844 | 30 | Democrat | Representative |
Bob | Ballinger | bob.ballinger@senate.ar.gov | 870-505-4448 | 5 | Republican | Senator |
Howard | Beaty | howard.beaty@arkansashouse.org | 9 | Republican | Representative | |
Rick | Beck | rick.beck@arkansashouse.org | 501-912-1441 | 65 | Republican | Representative |
Charles | Beckham | charles.beckham@senate.ar.gov | 12 | Republican | Senator | |
Mary | Bentley | mary.bentley@arkansashouse.org | 501-889-3556 | 73 | Republican | Representative |
Mark | Berry | mark.berry@arkansashouse.org | 82 | Republican | Representative | |
Stan | Berry | stan.berry@arkansashouse.org | 4799707982 | 68 | Republican | Representative |
Cecile | Bledsoe | cecile.bledsoe@senate.ar.gov | 479-636-2115 | 3 | Republican | Senator |
Justin | Boyd | justin.boyd.pharm.d@gmail.com | 479-262-2156 | 77 | Republican | Representative |
Ken | Bragg | kenwbragg@gmail.com | 870-917-9205 | 15 | Republican | Representative |
Harlan | Breaux | harlan.breaux@arkansashouse.org | 479-981-3170 | 97 | Republican | Representative |
Keith | Brooks | keith.brooks@arkansashouse.org | 5017446080 | 31 | Republican | Representative |
Karilyn | Brown | karilyn.brown@arkansashouse.org | 501-580-9000 | 41 | Republican | Representative |
Joshua | Bryant | joshua.bryant@arkansashouse.org | 5015002206 | 96 | Republican | Representative |
Ronald | Caldwell | ronald.caldwell@senate.ar.gov | 501-682-6107 | 23 | Republican | Senator |
John | Carr | john.carr@arkansashouse.org | 94 | Republican | Representative | |
Frances | Cavenaugh | frances.cavenaugh@arkansashouse.org | 870-886-4000 | 60 | Republican | Representative |
Linda | Chesterfield | lchesterfield@comcast.net | 501-888-1859 | 30 | Democrat | Senator |
Craig | Christiansen | craigchristiansendistrict47@gmail.com | 501-724-5326 | 47 | Republican | Representative |
Alan | Clark | alan.clark@senate.ar.gov | 501-844-6800 | 13 | Republican | Senator |
Joe | Cloud | joe.cloud@arkansashouse.org | 479-858-8033 | 71 | Republican | Representative |
Nicole | Clowney | nicole.clowney@arkansashouse.org | 479-445-5337 | 86 | Democrat | Representative |
Bruce | Coleman | bruce.coleman@arkansashouse.org | 479-806-6825 | 81 | Republican | Representative |
Andrew | Collins | andrew.collins@arkansashouse.org | 501-650-2233 | 35 | Democrat | Representative |
Cameron | Cooper | cameron.cooper@arkansashouse.org | 501-230-5635 | 44 | Republican | Representative |
Bruce | Cozart | bruce.cozart@arkansashouse.org | 501-627-3232 | 24 | Republican | Representative |
Cindy | Crawford | cindy.crawford@arkansashouse.org | 479-782-4693 | 76 | Republican | Representative |
Carol | Dalby | carol.dalby@arkansashouse.org | 870-772-1255 | 1 | Republican | Representative |
Breanne | Davis | breanne.davis@senate.ar.gov | 479-970-0081 | 16 | Republican | Senator |
Marsh | Davis | marsh.davis@arkansashouse.org | 870-847-7334 | 61 | Republican | Representative |
Gary | Deffenbaugh | gary.deffenbaugh@arkansashouse.org | 479-719-8197 | 79 | Republican | Representative |
Jonathan | Dismang | dismang28@gmail.com | 501-766-8220 | 28 | Republican | Senator |
Jim | Dotson | jim.dotson@arkansashouse.org | 479-222-1234 | 93 | Republican | Representative |
Lance | Eads | lance.eads@senate.ar.gov | 479-435-5139 | 7 | Republican | Senator |
Les | Eaves | les.eaves@arkansashouse.org | 501-827-1344 | 46 | Republican | Representative |
Joyce | Elliott | joyce.elliott@senate.ar.gov | 501-603-9546 | 31 | Democrat | Senator |
Jane | English | jane.english@senate.ar.gov | 501-257-7670 | 34 | Republican | Senator |
Denise | Ennett | denise.ennett@arkansashouse.org | 5016904211 | 36 | Democrat | Representative |
Jon | Eubanks | jon.eubanks@arkansashouse.org | 479-438-0533 | 74 | Republican | Representative |
Sonia | Eubanks Barker | sonia.barker@arkansashouse.org | 8708147605 | 7 | Republican | Representative |
Brian | Evans | brian.evans@arkansashouse.org | 501-941-4002 | 43 | Republican | Representative |
Deborah | Ferguson | deborah.ferguson@arkansashouse.org | 870-735-7098 | 51 | Democrat | Representative |
Kenneth | Ferguson | kenneth.ferguson@arkansashouse.org | 870-413-8942 | 16 | Democrat | Representative |
David | Fielding | david.fielding@arkansashouse.org | 870-234-6143 | 5 | Democrat | Representative |
Charlene | Fite | charlene.fite@arkansashouse.org | 479-414-1818 | 80 | Republican | Representative |
Lanny | Fite | lanny.fite@att.net | 501-317-2400 | 23 | Republican | Representative |
Scott | Flippo | scott.flippo@senate.ar.gov | 870-421-3420 | 17 | Republican | Senator |
Stephanie | Flowers | stephanie.flowers@senate.ar.gov | 870-535-1032 | 25 | Democrat | Senator |
Vivian | Flowers | vivian.flowers@arkansashouse.org | 870-329-8356 | 17 | Democrat | Representative |
Jack | Fortner | jack.fortner@arkansashouse.org | 870-656-7664 | 99 | Republican | Representative |
Tony | Furman | tony.furman@arkansashouse.org | 501-909-1537 | 28 | Republican | Representative |
Denise | Garner | denise.garner@arkansashouse.org | 479-283-5050 | 84 | Democrat | Representative |
Trent | Garner | trent.garner@senate.ar.gov | 870-818-9219 | 27 | Republican | Senator |
Jimmy | Gazaway | jimmy.gazaway@arkansashouse.org | 870-215-1243 | 57 | Republican | Representative |
Ben | Gilmore | ben.gilmore@senate.ar.gov | 501-467-5952 | 26 | Republican | Senator |
Megan | Godfrey | megan.godfrey@arkansashouse.org | 479-200-4460 | 89 | Democrat | Representative |
Justin | Gonzales | justinrory@yahoo.com | 870-245-6365 | 19 | Republican | Representative |
Michelle | Gray | michelle.gray@arkansashouse.org | 870-291-2515 | 62 | Republican | Representative |
Delia | Haak | delia.haak@arkansashouse.org | 4792384671 | 91 | Republican | Representative |
Kim | Hammer | kim.hammer@senate.ar.gov | 501-840-3841 | 33 | Republican | Senator |
Spencer | Hawks | spencer.hawks@arkansashouse.org | 501-764-6847 | 70 | Republican | Representative |
Jim | Hendren | jim.hendren@senate.ar.gov | 479-787-6222 | 2 | Republican | Senator |
Bart | Hester | bart.hester@senate.ar.gov | 479-531-4176 | 1 | Republican | Senator |
Jimmy | Hickey JR | jimmy.hickey@senate.ar.gov | 870-772-4444 | 11 | Republican | Senator |
Ricky | Hill | ricky.hill@senate.ar.gov | 501-286-2285 | 29 | Republican | Senator |
David | Hillman | david.hillman@arkansashouse.org | 870-830-3004 | 13 | Republican | Representative |
Monty | Hodges | monte.hodges@arkansashouse.org | 870-763-4443 | 55 | Democrat | Representative |
Mike | Holcomb | mike.holcomb@arkansashouse.org | 870-489-7177 | 10 | Republican | Representative |
Steve | Hollowell | steve.hollowell@arkansashouse.org | 870-270-3831 | 49 | Republican | Representative |
Ashley | Hudson | ashley.hudson@arkansashouse.org | 5016584096 | 32 | Democrat | Representative |
Keith | Ingram | friendsforkeith@gmail.com | 870-735-8610 | 24 | Democrat | Senator |
Missy | Irvin | missy.irvin@senate.ar.gov | 870-269-2703 | 18 | Republican | Senator |
Lane | Jean | l_jean@sbcglobal.net | 870-90-1856 | 2 | Republican | Representative |
Joe | Jett | joe.jett@arkansashouse.org | 870-276-5319 | 56 | Republican | Representative |
Blake | Johnson | blake.johnson@senate.ar.gov | 870-323-1766 | 20 | Republican | Senator |
Lee | Johnson | lee.johnson@arkansashouse.org | 479-883-6393 | 75 | Republican | Representative |
Mark | Johnson | mark.johnson@senate.ar.gov | 501-682-2920 | 15 | Republican | Senator |
Jack | Ladyman | jackladyman@gmail.com | 870-340-7499 | 59 | Republican | Representative |
Greg | Leding | greg.leding@senate.ar.gov | 479-966-9201 | 4 | Democrat | Senator |
Fredrick | Love | fjlove@att.net | 501-612-3939 | 29 | Democrat | Representative |
Mark | Lowery | markdlowery@mac.com | 501-837-5221 | 39 | Republican | Representative |
Robin | Lundstrom | robin.lundstrum@arkansashouse.org | 479-957-1959 | 87 | Republican | Representative |
Roger | Lynch | roger.lynch@arkansashouse.org | 501-412-8959 | 14 | Republican | Representative |
John | Maddox | john.maddox@arkansashouse.org | 479-394-6060 | 20 | Republican | Representative |
Stephen | Magie | stephen.magie@arkansashouse.org | 501-327-4444 | 72 | Democrat | Representative |
Julie | Mayberry | julie.mayberry@arkansashouse.org | 501-888-3522 | 27 | Republican | Representative |
Rick | McClure | rick.mcclure@arkansashouse.org | 5017864186 | 26 | Republican | Representative |
Austin | McCollum | austin.mccollum@arkansashouse.org | 479-426-4141 | 95 | Republican | Representative |
Tippi | McCullough | tippi.mccullough@arkansashouse.org | 501-766-3177 | 33 | Democrat | Representative |
Mark | McElroy | mdmcelroy1@yahoo.com | 11 | Republican | Representative | |
Richard | McGrew | mcgrewrep22@gmail.com | 501-623-2481 | 22 | Republican | Representative |
Gayla | McKenzie | gayla.mckenzie@arkansashouse.org | 479-787-6411 | 92 | Republican | Representative |
Ron | McNair | rmcnair1950@gmail.com | 870-754-7962 | 98 | Republican | Representative |
Stephen | Meeks | stephen.meeks@arkansashouse.org | 501-314-9250 | 67 | Republican | Representative |
Josh | Miller | josh.miller@arkansashouse.org | 501-365-3599 | 66 | Republican | Representative |
Jon | Milligan | jonmilligan@ymail.com | 870-219-1261 | 53 | Republican | Representative |
Reginald | Murdock | rkm_72360@yahoo.com | 501-940-5157 | 48 | Democrat | Representative |
Milton | Nicks Jr | milton.nicks@arkansashouse.org | 870-739-1083 | 50 | Democrat | Representative |
John | Payton | john.payton@arkansashouse.org | 501-362-5815 | 64 | Republican | Representative |
Clinto | Penzo | clint.penzo@arkansashouse.org | 479-466-6681 | 88 | Republican | Representative |
Mark | Perry | mperry@windstream.net | 501-982-4561 | 42 | Democrat | Representative |
Aaron | Pilkington | aaron.pilkington@arkansashouse.org | 479-308-8384 | 69 | Republican | Representative |
Matthew | Pitsch | mathew.pitsch@senate.ar.gov | 479-883-2072 | 8 | Republican | Senator |
Jason | Rapert | jason.rapert@senate.ar.gov | 501-336-0918 | 35 | Republican | Senator |
David | Ray | david.ray@arkansashouse.org | 40 | Republican | Representative | |
Terry | Rice | terry.rice@senate.ar.gov | 479-637-3100 | 9 | Republican | Senator |
Jay | Richardson | jay.richardson@arkansashouse.org | 78 | Democrat | Representative | |
Marcus | Richmond | marcus.richmond@arkansashouse.org | 479-299-4416 | 21 | Republican | Representative |
Johnny | Rye | john.rye1956@gmail.com | 870-919-3690 | 54 | Republican | Representative |
Bill | Sample | bill.sample@senate.ar.gov | 501-627-5386 | 14 | Republican | Senator |
Jamie | Scott | jamie.scott@arkansashouse.org | 501-398-2961 | 37 | Democrat | Representative |
Matthew | Shepherd | matthew.shepherd@arkansashouse.org | 870-862-2087 | 6 | Republican | Representative |
Keith | Slape | keith.slape@arkansashouse.org | 870-715-5623 | 83 | Republican | Representative |
Brandt | Smith | brandt.smith@arkansashouse.org | 870-351-7459 | 58 | Republican | Representative |
Stu | Smith | stu22200@yahoo.com | 870-612-3974 | 63 | Republican | Representative |
Nelda | Speaks | nelda@neldaspeaks.com | 870-421-2552 | 100 | Republican | Representative |
Joy | Springer | joy.springer@arkansashouse.org | 501-374-3758 | 34 | Democrat | Representative |
Gary | Stubblefield | gary.stubblefield@senate.ar.gov | 479-635-4314 | 6 | Republican | Senator |
James | Sturch | james.sturch@senate.ar.gov | 870-612-7589 | 19 | Republican | Senator |
Dan | Sullivan | dan.sullivan@senate.ar.gov | 870-275-2929 | 21 | Republican | Senator |
Larry | Teague | larry.teague@senate.ar.gov | 870-845-5303 | 10 | Democrat | Senator |
David | Tollett | david.tollett@arkansashouse.org | 12 | Republican | Representative | |
Dwight | Tosh | dwight.tosh@arkansashouse.org | 870-926-0423 | 52 | Republican | Representative |
Clarke | Tucker | clarke.tucker@senate.ar.gov | 501-246-4933 | 32 | Democrat | Senator |
Kendon | Underwood | kendon.underwood@arkansashouse.org | 4796448461 | 90 | Republican | Representative |
DeAnn | Vaught | deann.vaught@arkansashouse.org | 870-832-2638 | 4 | Republican | Representative |
David | Wallace | david.wallace@senate.ar.gov | 870-919-8046 | 22 | Republican | Senator |
Jeff | Wardlaw | jeff@jeffwardlaw.com | 870-226-9501 | 8 | Republican | Representative |
Les | Warren | les.warren@arkansashouse.org | 501-623-4405 | 25 | Republican | Representative |
Danny | Watson | danny.watson@arkansashouse.org | 870-703-5524 | 3 | Republican | Representative |
David | Whitaker | david.whitaker@arkansashouse.org | 479-236-8313 | 85 | Democrat | Representative |
Carlton | Wing | carlton@carltonwing.com | 501-416-4926 | 38 | Republican | Representative |
Richard | Womack | richard@richardwomack.com | 870-403-6287 | 18 | Republican | Representative |
Jim | Wooten | wjewooten@aol.com | 501-858-7403 | 45 | Republican | Representative |