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AR SB409

AR SB409
To Prohibit Discrimination Of Agricultural Producers By Financial Services Providers; And To Establish The Farmer Protection Act.


summary

Introduced
03/10/2025
In Committee
03/19/2025
Crossed Over
03/17/2025
Passed
03/21/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/31/2025

Introduced Session

95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)

Bill Summary

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS BY FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL JUSTICE, OR GOVERNANCE SCORES OR METRICS; TO ESTABLISH THE FARMER PROTECTION ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the Farmer Protection Act, amends Arkansas law to prohibit financial services providers from discriminating against agricultural producers by adding them to existing protections for energy and firearms industry entities. The bill defines "agricultural producer" as a person or company engaged in crop growing, animal husbandry, or livestock and dairy production. Under the new law, the State Treasurer must maintain a public list of financial services providers that discriminate against agricultural producers, energy companies, or firearms entities based on environmental, social justice, or governance (ESG) factors. Before adding a financial services provider to this list, the ESG Oversight Committee must send a 45-day written notice to the provider, detailing the evidence of discrimination and giving the provider an opportunity to demonstrate they are not discriminating. If an agricultural producer makes a claim of discrimination, they must consent to the disclosure of their financial information to the committee to support the investigation. If the producer refuses to consent, the committee must withdraw the notice, and the financial services provider will not be placed on the discriminatory list.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (65)

Blake Johnson (R)* Randy Torres (R)* Brandon Achor (R),  Wade Andrews (R),  Sonia Barker (R),  Howard Beaty (R),  Rick Beck (R),  Mary Bentley (R),  Stan Berry (R),  Harlan Breaux (R),  Keith Brooks (R),  Karilyn Brown (R),  Matt Brown (R),  Nick Burkes (R),  Rebecca Burkes (R),  Joey Carr (R),  John Carr (R),  Fran Cavenaugh (R),  Paul Childress (R),  Cameron Cooper (R),  Bruce Cozart (R),  Cindy Crawford (R),  James Eaton (R),  Brian Evans (R),  Tony Furman (R),  Jimmy Gazaway (R),  Zack Gramlich (R),  Brad Hall (R),  R.J. Hawk (R),  Ricky Hill (R),  Steve Hollowell (R),  Lee Johnson (R),  Wayne Long (R),  Robin Lundstrum (R),  Roger Lynch (R),  John Maddox (R),  Mindy McAlindon (R),  Rick McClure (R),  Mark McElroy (R),  Richard McGrew (R),  Brit McKenzie (R),  Ron McNair (R),  Jon Milligan (R),  Jeremiah Moore (R),  Jason Nazarenko (R),  Stetson Painter (R),  Shad Pearce (R),  Mark Perry (D),  Aaron Pilkington (R),  Chad Puryear (R),  David Ray (R),  Scott Richardson (R),  Marcus Richmond (R),  Ryan Rose (R),  Johnny Rye (R),  Bart Schulz (R),  Matthew Shepherd (R),  Trey Steimel (R),  Dwight Tosh (R),  Kendon Underwood (R),  Steve Unger (R),  DeAnn Vaught (R),  Steven Walker (R),  Carlton Wing (R),  Jim Wooten (R), 

Last Action

Notification that SB409 is now Act 406 (on 03/31/2025)

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