The bill, which could still be enacted if state legislators override the governor’s veto, would make it illegal for transgender minors to receive gender-affirming medication or surgery.
G O P Governor of Arkansas Vetoes Anti-Transgender Bill nytimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nytimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Credit Public Justice, Arkansas State Legislature, Lax Vaughan Lawfirm
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals held a special session on Thursday, Feb. 25, to hear arguments on the constitutionality of an ag gag law in Arkansas.
The ensuing decision applies to the states within the Eighth Circuit, which includes South Dakota.
Animal rights activists say the Arkansas law chills First-Amendment protected speech of whistleblowers and journalists who expose animal cruelty in agricultural operations.
Victoria Wicks has more on this case for SDPB.
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The Arkansas State Legislature will convene the regular session of its 93rd General Assembly on Jan. 11, coming off a year in 2020 in which the legislature convened twice, first in an extraordinary session to handle the early response to the coronavirus pandemic and then its regular fiscal session. While coronavirus was then, and still remains at the forefront of most political agendas, the 93rd Assembly will also consider some 85 bills which have already been filed ahead of the session and six resolutions.
State House bills
Republican Jack Fortner of House District 99 filed HB1004, a bill which would prohibit a person required to register as a sex offender from entering public aquatic facilities.