Senate committee approves bill banning local universal basic income programs after roll‑call confusion

The Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee approved House Bill 16‑81, which would prohibit local governments and political subdivisions from implementing universal basic income (UBI) programs.

Senator Joshua Bryant, sponsor, told the committee the bill would bar municipalities, counties or districts from establishing guaranteed cash‑payment programs not required by federal law. Members asked for examples of existing local programs; Bryant cited municipal experiments in other states and said he believed some groups were attempting to pursue such programs in Arkansas.

The committee initially attempted a voice/roll call vote and the clerk listed a mix of yes and no responses. The clerk then said the bill “fails for lack of” with only four votes reported as yes; the item was momentarily passed over. The sponsor later reintroduced the measure; on the subsequent vote the chair announced the ayes had it and HB 16‑81 passed the committee.

Senator Love recorded a no on an earlier roll call; another senator asked for a formal roll call when there was confusion about numbers. The committee’s final action was to advance the bill, though the hearing transcript records a procedural pause and a re‑vote during the same meeting.

Outcome: HB 16‑81 advanced from committee; transcript records an initial vote that fell short of five yeses and a later successful motion to pass after the item was reintroduced.