The Arkansas Senate has rejected legislation to require bills be reviewed for their racial impact.
Democratic Sen. Joyce Elliott of Little Rock said racial impact statements would be similar to fiscal impact statements, environmental impact statements and victim impact statements used in courtrooms. She said no one spoke against her bill in the Judiciary Committee, but Monday's vote in the Senate was only 13-9 - five votes short of the 18 needed to pass. Two years ago, it picked up 15 votes.
Elliott said there were numerous town hall meetings statewide to talk about the bill.
Legislators would be given the option to change their bills if the statement found there would be an impact based on racial disparities.
Monday's vote was erased and the bill can come up again.
