The Arkansas legislative session is a critical time to make your voice heard on the issues that matter most. This guide will help you navigate the process, engage with your lawmakers, and advocate for policies that reflect the values of justice, equity, and freedom for all Arkansans.

The laws passed during the legislative session affect every aspect of our lives — education, healthcare, voting rights, criminal justice, and more. Advocacy isn’t just for professionals; it’s for everyone. By speaking up and staying informed, you can play a vital role in shaping Arkansas’s future.

Getting Started: Tools and Resources

It's a good idea to bookmark the following links in your browser:

Advocacy Basics: How to Get Involved

1. Call Your Lawmaker

A quick phone call can make a big impact, especially before a critical vote. It's very likely that will be unavailable for phone calls and that you will have to leave them a message. Know what to include in your message:

  • Identify yourself as a constituent by providing your name and address.
  • Clearly state the issue or bill you’re calling about (e.g., “Please vote NO on HB XXXX”).
  • Keep your message concise and polite.
  • Thank your legislator for their time and consideration.

2. Write Your Lawmaker

Personal letters or emails are a powerful way to share your perspective. Here are a few tips on writing effectively:

  • Be concise! Focus on one issue per letter and keep it short.
  • Tell a story. Share how the issue personally impacts you or your community.
  • Problem, Solution, Action. Clearly outline the problem, propose a solution, and request specific action.

Example Email or Letter:

Dear [Senator/Representative],


My name is [Your Name], and I live in your district at [Your Address]. I am writing to express my concern about [Bill/Issue]. This legislation will [describe impact briefly]. I urge you to [support/oppose] this bill because [reason].

Thank you for your time and service to our community.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

3. Meet Your Lawmaker

Meeting face-to-face with your legislator is one of the most effective ways to advocate. Read these steps to prepare for a meeting:

  • Schedule in advance: Email or call to request a meeting and specify your topic.
  • Do your research: Know your legislator’s stance on the issue and any past voting records.
  • Set clear goals: Decide what you want to achieve—introducing yourself, sharing your perspective, or securing support for a bill.
  • Follow up: Send a thank-you note after the meeting to leave a lasting impression.

Building Relationships Year-Round

Advocacy doesn’t stop when the session ends. Build relationships with your lawmakers throughout the year by:

  • Attending local town halls and events.
  • Sending thank-you messages for positive actions.
  • Staying in touch about ongoing issues in your community.

Understanding the Legislative Process

Here’s how a bill becomes a law in Arkansas:

  1. Introduction: A bill is introduced in the House or Senate.
  2. Committee Review: The bill is assigned to a committee, where it’s debated and possibly amended.
  3. Floor Votes: If approved by the committee, the bill moves to the floor for a vote.
  4. Governor’s Decision: If both chambers approve the bill, it goes to the Governor for approval or veto.

Organizing Your Community

  • Petition Drives: Collect signatures to demonstrate community support for an issue.
  • Host Advocacy Events: Organize letter-writing campaigns, town halls, or rallies to raise awareness and engage others.
  • Social Media Advocacy: Share updates, calls to action, and personal stories on social media platforms to amplify your message and encourage others to get involved.

Tips for Effective Advocacy

  • Know your audience: Tailor your message to your legislator’s interests and priorities.
  • Stay respectful and professional: Politeness goes a long way, even when you disagree.
  • Be persistent: Don’t be discouraged by setbacks — advocacy takes time and effort.

Action Steps for Every Advocate

  • Beginners: Sign up for ACLU of Arkansas action alerts and send pre-written emails to your legislators.
  • Intermediate Advocates: Call your legislator or attend a committee hearing.
  • Advanced Advocates: Testify at a hearing, organize a community event, or meet your legislator in person.

FAQ

Q: What if I don’t know what to say when contacting my legislator?
A: Stick to the basics. Introduce yourself, state the issue, and clearly explain what action you want them to take.

Q: Do lawmakers actually read letters from constituents?
A: Yes! Legislators value input from their constituents, especially when it’s thoughtful and personal.

Q: How can I testify at a committee hearing if I’ve never done it before?
A: Prepare by practicing your statement, focusing on your personal story and the specific action you’re requesting. 

Glossary of Legislative Terms

Here's what some of the most commonly used legislative jargon means.

  • Amendment: A change to an existing bill or resolution. This takes the form of an addition or deletion of words. It can affect only a couple words, or it can look like an entire re-write. A “committee amendment” is an amendment adopted by a majority vote of the committee considering the bill or resolution. A “floor amendment” is an amendment offered by a member of the House or Senate while the bill or resolution is considered by the full legislative body.
  • Bill in the First Reading: When a bill is first introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. At the time of the first reading, the Speaker of the House or Senate President refers the bill to a committee, based based on the subject-matter of the bill.
  • Bill in the Second Reading: After a bill has been approved by its committee, the bill is read a second time in front of the full chamber before being scheduled for a floor debate and final vote. 
  • Bill in the Third Reading: When a bill is debated on the floor before the full House or Senate votes on whether to pass the bill.
  • Committee: Committees are groups of legislators that must review and vote on bills before they can be considered by the full House or Senate. Committees must hold public meetings and receive public feedback on bills. Each committee is responsible for a specific area of law, like “Public Health, Welfare and Labor,” or “Education.” The chair of a committee has the sole power to put a bill on the committee’s agenda, or refuse to put it on an agenda, and committees can send a bill to the full House or Senate by majority vote. When the Legislature is not in session, committees may hold meetings to monitor ongoing governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to the larger legislative houses.
  • Concurrent Resolution: A legislative instrument that directs a state agency to take an action, proposes changes to the rules of the Legislature, or other acts that do not amend the law or Constitution.
  • Fiscal Impact Study: An estimate of the financial impact of a bill or resolution prepared by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Service Division.
  • Joint Resolution: A legislative instrument that proposes a change to or repeal of a provision of the Arkansas Constitution.

  • Lobbying: A form of advocacy with the intention of influencing decisions made by the government on behalf of individuals or groups. The ACLU of Arkansas lobbies to protect and expand the constitutional rights of all Arkansans. Most people think of lobbyists only as paid professionals, but anyone who petitions the government or contacts their legislators to voice an opinion is functioning as a lobbyist.

  • Opponent: Someone who is against a particular bill or resolution.
  • Proponent: Someone who is supportive of a particular bill or resolution.
  • Sponsor: The member(s) of the Legislature sponsoring a bill or resolution. 
  • Task Force: Task forces are groups of legislators or other interested parties given the responsibility of studying a public policy issue and making recommendations. Task forces are often created for a limited period of time and meet outside of a legislative session.
  • Veto: The governor’s disapproval of a bill that is finally passed by the Legislature. A veto kills the bill unless the House and the Senate both vote to override the veto by a two-thirds majority.

Helpful Abbreviations

  • Fiscal Year (FY) 
  • Senate Bill (SB)
  • House Bill (HB)
  • Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR)
  • House Concurrent Resolution (HCR)
  • Senate Resolution (SR)
  • House Resolution (HR) 
  • Senator (Sen.) 
  • Representative (Rep.) 

By staying informed, showing up, and speaking out, you can help create a better Arkansas. Let’s work together to protect and advance the rights of all Arkansans.

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