To Amend The List Of Musicians Honored On Arkansas Music Appreciation Day.
Summary
HB1368 amends Arkansas law governing Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by expanding the nonexclusive list of musicians formally honored in the statute. The bill adds five names to Arkansas Code § 1-5-117(a): J.R. Rogers, Frank "Son" Seals, Royal Wade Kimes, Justin Moore, and Albert King. The measure does not create a new holiday or change the structure of the observance; it simply updates the roster of recognized musicians.
In practical terms, the bill changes state law by revising the commemorative statute that identifies musicians associated with Arkansas Music Appreciation Day. Because the list is nonexclusive, the amendment is symbolic and honorary rather than regulatory or fiscal. It affects the state’s official recognition of Arkansas musicians and may be of interest to the honorees, their families, fans, and communities connected to Arkansas music heritage.
Impact
HB1368 makes a narrow amendment to Arkansas Code § 1-5-117(a), adding five musicians to the nonexclusive list honored on Arkansas Music Appreciation Day. The bill has no apparent effect on taxes, benefits, licensing, or enforcement, and it does not alter the legal status of the holiday itself. Its impact is primarily ceremonial, updating state law to reflect additional artists recognized for their contributions to Arkansas music.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly and overwhelmingly supported. Voting history shows strong approval in both chambers, with a 97-1 House third-reading vote and a 35-0 Senate third-reading vote. The absence of committee transcript discussion suggests the measure was noncontroversial and treated as a routine honorary resolution-style amendment.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention around HB1368. The only notable point is that the bill selects specific musicians for inclusion in the state’s honorary list, which can sometimes prompt questions about why certain artists are named while others are not. However, the recorded votes indicate no meaningful opposition in the Senate and only one dissenting vote in the House, suggesting any disagreement was minimal and not publicly developed in the available record.