Bart Hester

Lifetime Rating

83%

Bart Hester

Senator · Republican

Arkansas

Strong Conservative

2025 CPAC Rating

79%

State

AR

CPAC Rating History

2013201520162017201820192020202120232025
Annual CPAC RatingLifetime RatingRepublican Senate Avg

Voting Record

HB 10482025 - Arkansas Senate
Legalizing Raw Milk

This bill allows the sale of raw milk, along with goat’s milk and sheep’s milk and does not limit it to sales on a farm. CPAC supports the voluntary consumption of raw milk and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 17, 2025 by a vote of 33-3 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 10492025 - Arkansas Senate
Making Squatting Unlawful

This bill makes unlawful squatting a crime. CPAC supports efforts to clean up neighborhoods from actions like unlawful squatting that destroys property values and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 24, 2025 by a vote of 32-0 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 13072025 - Arkansas Senate
Preventing Funding the Left’s Agenda

This bill prevents state institutions from participating in investment funds that target, equity and inclusion initiatives, facilitate gender “reassignment” or limit firearms access. CPAC supports efforts to keep the left’s agenda out of financial investments and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 10, 2025 by a vote of 31-1and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 14182025 - Arkansas Senate
Deregulating Knives

This bill eliminates a 20th Century law that stemmed from the use of knives by street gangs, with the emphasis on “switchblade” knives. CPAC supports efforts to eliminate outmoded laws and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 19, 2025 by a vote of 28-1 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 16712025 - Arkansas Senate
Reducing the Tax Burden on Non- Profits

This bill eliminates the gross receipts tax on tangible property and eliminates the sales tax for sales to non-profits. CPAC opposes the gross receipts tax that taxes all income regardless of gain or loss and supports broad based sales tax reduction and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 16, 2025 by a vote of 32-0 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 16852025 - Arkansas Senate
Removing Some Taxes on Food

This bill removes the gross receipts tax on food and food ingredients. CPAC opposes these taxes that are imposed regardless of whether the business gains or loses money and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 4, 2025 by a vote of 35-0 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 16962025 - Arkansas Senate
Providing a Core Curriculum For State Supported Schools

This bill requires a core curriculum be established at state supported schools. CPAC supports efforts to strengthen educational requirements, supports a core curriculum for academic study and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 8, 2025 by a vote of 29-1 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 17512025 - Arkansas Senate
Job Search Requirements for Welfare

This bill requires those who apply for the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) welfare program engage in job search activities while the application is processed. CPAC supports these requirements for able bodied adults and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 9, 2025 by a vote of 28-5 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 19452025 - Arkansas Senate
Expanding School Choice

This bill allows students to transfer to a better school within the school district. CPAC supports strengthening school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 16, 2025 by a vote of 31-3 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

SB 2082025 - Arkansas Senate
Voter ID for Ballott Initiatives

This bill requires a photo ID to sign ballot initiatives. CPAC supports efforts to prevent importing non-residents to vote on local initiatives and supported this bill. The Senate passed bill on March 3, 2025 by a vote of 26-6 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

SB 2172025 - Arkansas Senate
Banning Candy and Soft Drinks on Food Stamp Menu

This bill requests a waiver from the federal government to ban food stamp recipients (the current supplemental nutrition program) from using these funds for buying candy and soft drinks. CPAC believes these funds should only be spent on essentials and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 8, 2025 by a vote of 29-4 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Support

HB 13032025 - Arkansas Senate
Special Tax Breaks For the Green Agenda

This bill gives a tax credit for using aviation fuel favored by the government that is labeled sustainable. CPAC opposes these special tax breaks that put those who do not qualify at a disadvantage and often lead to higher taxes on others and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 3, 2025 by a vote of 32-1and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Oppose

HB 16122025 - Arkansas Senate
More Funding For Left-Wing Propaganda On State-Run Television

This bill appropriates taxpayer funds for capital improvements for so-called educational television. CPAC recognizes that so called “public television” invariably promotes a far-left agenda and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 12, 2025 by a vote of 77-11 and the bill later became law. The Senate passed the bill on March 13, 2025 by a vote of 34-0 and the bill later became law.

Conservatives Oppose

SJR 152025 - Arkansas Senate
New Taxing Authority

This bill proposes a state constitutional amendment to allow Economic Development Districts to be created to promote economic development. CPAC supports economic development but opposes giving new taxing authority to another layer of government and opposed this amendment. The Senate passed the amendment on April 14, 2025 by a vote of 28-6 and the amendment goes to the voters.

Conservatives Oppose

14 votes shown

End of results

Annual CPAC Ratings

Year
2025
CPAC Rating
79%
Lifetime Rating
83%
Year
2023
CPAC Rating
85%
Lifetime Rating
83%
Conservative Achievement
Year
2021
CPAC Rating
79%
Lifetime Rating
83%
Year
2020
CPAC Rating
76%
Lifetime Rating
85%
Year
2019
CPAC Rating
79%
Lifetime Rating
86%
Year
2018
CPAC Rating
81%
Lifetime Rating
88%
Conservative Achievement
Year
2017
CPAC Rating
80%
Lifetime Rating
89%
Conservative Achievement
Year
2016
CPAC Rating
83%
Lifetime Rating
92%
Conservative Achievement
Year
2015
CPAC Rating
91%
Lifetime Rating
96%
Conservative Excellence
Year
2013
CPAC Rating
100%
Lifetime Rating
—
Conservative Excellence

CPAC

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