Clean energy helps strengthen Arkansas’ economy

By Jay Bunyard

Arkansas must continue to foster a positive business environment that encourages economic development in order to create new jobs and support stronger, more resilient communities. We can achieve this by investing in and expanding our clean energy economy. Surveying the growing sectors of the economy and the potential for our state to expand and grow into new levels of prosperity requires we lead and not lag in the new energy sector.

Clean energy and job creation are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they go hand in hand. By continuing to develop and expand our clean energy resourc- es — like wind, solar, hydropower, and natural gas — as well as clean energy technologies, like carbon capture and energy storage, we will be able to create new opportunities to advance critical climate and job creation goals. Arkansans have long understood the importance of conservation. In fact, no one takes better care of our environment and the beauty of the Natural State than our farmers and hunters. Arkansans also has a long history of innovation. Arkansas business leaders have embraced and pioneered new economies before in trucking, food, retail, defense, finance and more. New energy jobs are no different. The innovative leaders in Arkansas’ private sector will forge successful paths in the new, unfolding economy in the energy sector and we must all support their efforts. Nationwide, 3.2 million Americans work in clean energy — including renewables, energy efficiency, clean-energy vehicles, and more.

See ENERGY continued on page 18

In the most recent legislative session, the Arkansas General Assembly made several changes to our laws regarding transportation.

The new laws impact everything from distracted driving to getting your car tags.

Below is a list of acts signed this year regarding transportation:

Act 445 seeks to strengthen our laws regarding distracted driving. It states if a distracted driver causes an accident that results in serious physical injury or death of another person, the driver upon conviction is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. In addition to penalties assessed, the court may order the defendant to 100 hours or less of public service work.

Act 41 extends the time period authorized for the registration of a motor vehicle from 30 days to 60 days from the purchase date or from the time an individual becomes a resident of Arkansas.

Act 396 limits the time period during which restricted driving permits are valid for those on probation or parole to one year from the date it was issued.

Act 94 amends the law concerning truck platooning systems.

Act 50 repeals a law that prohibits leaving a running vehicle unattended.

Act 261 would require the Department of Finance and Administration to offer drivers the option of a digitized driver’s license by February 2025. The bill states a digitized driver’s license may be accepted by a public entity for all state purposes authorized for a driver’s license. It does not require any public or private entity to accept a digitized driver’s license.

Act 264 classifies the theft of a catalytic converter as a Class C felony. It states a person commits unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter if the person knowingly possesses a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and is not permanently marked.

Act 211 allows the distribution of revenues from the additional registration fee for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles under the Arkansas Highway Revenue Distribution Law.

Act 714 allows law enforcement to impound a vehicle if the driver committed the offense of drag racing on a public highway for a second time in a five-year period.

You can find more acts passed by the 94th General Assembly and watch recorded meetings of the 2023 Regular Session at arkansashouse.org.

During the 2023 session the legislature enacted a series of bills designed to protect children from exposure to sexually inappropriate literature, live performances and Internet sites.

Act 372 gives parents more options to have offensive material removed from local libraries and school libraries.

After making an objection to the librarian and if necessary making an appeal to the library board, parents would be able to appeal to the county Quorum Court or City Council. Both are composed of people elected by voters.

Act 372 removes the current exemption that protects librarians from criminal prosecution. If librarians knowingly maintain material that is deemed obscene, they could be prosecuted.

Even before passage of Act 372, parents had challenged material available in libraries at Jonesboro and Crawford County. Also, challenges have been reported at Siloam Springs and in Saline County.

Act 131 began as a Senate bill that originally would have banned drag shows in public places and performances for children by classifying them as adult entertainment.

However, it was amended in the House of Representatives, and now it adds restrictions to existing laws on adult-oriented shows. As enacted, it specifically prohibits adult oriented shows on public property and prohibits minors from attending. It also prohibits public funding of adult entertainment.

Act 612 makes pornography websites liable for harm they cause to minors, and requires them to make reasonable efforts to require age verification. For example, they can re- quire a digital ID before allowing viewers to access the site.

Act 689 would require social media sites to verify the age of users, and users under the age of 18 would need parental permission. Prosecutors could seek fines of $2,500 per violation against the social media companies. Act 689 takes effect on September 1 of this year.

Act 619 makes it a crime for an adult to knowingly enter and stay in a public bathroom assigned to the opposite sex. It does not apply to parents and guardians of children under seven years old.

Act 317 requires schools to designate bathrooms for the exclusive use of students according to the sex indicated on their birth certificate. If a student doesn’t want to identify as a male or female, the school shall provide a reasonable accommodation, such as a bathroom or locker with space for only one person at a time.

Act 274 allows more medical malpractice lawsuits against physicians who perform gender transformation procedures on children. It allows lawsuits up to 15 years after the minor turns 18. For most medical malpractice suits the limit is two years after the injury.

Act 542 prohibits schools and colleges from requiring teachers and staff to use a student’s preferred pronoun, such as they/them. Teachers and staff would have to call students by “he” or “she,” and “him” or “her.”

Act 733 applies to people of all ages. It prohibits state and local governments from burdening a person’s religious liberty unless it shows a compelling public interest, e.g. public health measures that might conflict with church activities.

A person whose religious exercise has been burdened may seek compensatory or declaratory relief in court.

Carolyn Ann Quinn

Mrs. Carolyn Ann Quinn, age 77, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023, at her home in Mena, Arkansas. She was born February 5, 1946, in Pleasanton, Texas, to the late Marion Daniel “M.D.” Mitchell and Eulan Janie Popham Pahmiyer.

Carolyn was a retail worker by profession and enjoyed listening to Christian music and reading. She loved attending church and seeing her church family and her church grandchildren. But above all else Mrs. Quinn loved the Lord.

Mrs. Quinn is survived by her loving husband, Lee Quinn; son, Lee. A. Quinn “Tony” and wife Virgin- ia; daughter, Michelle Quinn and husband Horace Gandy; sisters, Patricia Lee and husband Ron, Kristi McClesky and husband Howard, Regina Perez and husband Paul. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eulan Janie Popham Pahmiyer and Charles Pahmiyer, her father M.D. Mitchell, as well as by her brother, Danny Mitchell.

Funeral services for Mrs. Quinn will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Jack Smith will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Rocky, Arkansas. There will be no visitation.

Pallbearers are Duane Ezell, Jacob Ezell, Horace Gandy, Jacob Haddox, Lucas Gandy, and Darrol Summit.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

His biggest joy and greatest accomplishment in life was his daughter, Scarlett. They loved each other fiercely and unconditionally and she was a true Daddy’s Girl.

Jason was a kindhearted, giving soul who gave amazing hugs and had the sweetest laugh, and his memory will live on through Scarlett, his family, and friends.

Jason is survived by his precious girl, Scarlett Penelope Simms and her mother, Ashley, of Mena, AR, his parents, Jackie and Darlene Simms of Water Valley, MS, two sisters, Amy Knight (Alex) of Collierville, TN, and Lauren Gregory (Brian) of Jonesboro, AR, niece Alice Gregory, nephew Jack Knight, several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and one Grandmother.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for the family at a later date. Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Aileen Ora Lynch

dren was unconditional with her home always open as a safe haven for them in times of need. All her children enjoyed the benefits of her exceptional cooking, sewing and gardening. She lived through times most of us only read about in history books. The Great Depression, World War II, Korean War, 25 presidential elections, and seeing 5 generations of her legacy.

Mrs. Lynch is preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas Lynch; parents, Charley and Ara Sloan; brothers, Loyd Sloan, Russell Sloan, Merle Sloan, and Roy Sloan; sisters, Ona and Mabel; and by her sons-in-law, Tom Roberts and Doug Greer.

Jason Alan Simms, age 41, passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2023. Jason was born in Kennett, MO, on April 26, 1981, to Jackie and Darlene Simms.

While Jason grew up in Holcomb, MO, he eventually settled in Mena, AR. Throughout his life, Jason developed a love for cooking while working for various restaurants and had a dream of one day owning his own. In 2019, with the opening of Fully Baked Cafe, that dream came true.

Aileen Ora Lynch, 104, of Cove, Arkansas, died April 23, 2023, born December 7, 1918, to Charles Noah Sloan and Ara Adilee Henderson in Jasper, Arkansas. Married John Thomas Lynch October 15, 1953, in Las Vegas Nevada.

Aileen lived in California for most of her life, enjoyed the natural beauty and abundant sunshine of the Central Coast. A faithful servant of God, she was active in her church, where she served as the leader of the Woman’s Missionary Council for many years. Her love for her chil-

She is survived by her son, John Steven Lynch of Cove, Arkansas; daughters, Nurene Roberts of Cove, Arkansas, Kathleen Greer of Sacramento, California, Janell Meister and husband Bruce of Santa Barbara, California; grandchildren, Vickie Phillips and husband Rodney of Cove, Arkansas, Glenn Roberts and wife Sheri of Cove, Arkansas, Emily Penquite and husband Darren of Medford Oregon, Bethany Guerena of Santa Barbara, California, Steven Thomas Meister of Santa Barbara, California, Jasmine Wurlitzer and husband David of Sacramento, California; 10 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held in Arrayo Grande, California.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com