Wednesday, February 12, 2025 — Cities, counties, and hotel industry groups are working to block legislation designed to protect the private property rights of Arkansans who use their homes for short-term rentals. These rentals can range from renting out a single room to listing entire properties on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
House Bill 1445, introduced by Representative Brit McKenzie (R – Rogers), narrowly passed the House City, County, and Local Committee on Wednesday, February 12, following a roll call vote. The opposition included all Democratic members and a few Republicans.
Here are those votes:
| Hall (R): Yes | Milligan (R): No |
| A. Brown (R) : Yes | Hudson (D): No |
| Andrews (R): Yes | McCullough (D) : No |
| McKenzie (R): Yes | Pilkington (R): Yes |
| S. Richardson (R): Yes | Rye (R): No |
| T. Shephard (D): No | Cavenaugh (R): No |
| Painter (R): No | K. Brown (R): Yes |
| McAlindon (R): Yes | Holcomb (R): No |
| Burkes (R): Yes | Womack (R): Yes |
The hotel industry, led by hotel owners and the hospitality association, oppose the HB1445 because it threatens their market dominance. By pushing for heavy-handed local regulations, they aim to stifle competition and limit consumer choices, ensuring travelers have fewer alternatives to traditional hotels.
Meanwhile, city and county governments are fighting the legislation to maintain their regulatory power and revenue streams. Local officials seek to impose burdensome rules, permit fees, and taxes on short-term rentals, appeasing vocal opponents while preserving hotel tax revenues.
Property owners testified that income from short-term rentals is essential for supporting their families. Some lawmakers dismiss these concerns under the guise of “local control,” but their stance may be influenced by lobbying efforts from municipal and hotel interests. While local governments exist at the discretion of the state, they must not be allowed to infringe upon the fundamental property rights of Arkansas residents.
Protect your right to use your property as you see fit. Contact your Representative today and stand against excessive government overreach designed to benefit special interests at the expense of hardworking Arkansans.
