Victory for equality: Arkansas ends race quotas thanks to PLF lawsuits

Little Rock, AR; May 06, 2025: With the stroke of a pen, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has brought Arkansas into line with the Constitution’s promise of equality under the law. On April 22, she signed into law House Bill 1365, a sweeping repeal of race-based quotas on Arkansas public boards — passed in response to lawsuits filed by Do No Harm and the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR), represented free of charge by Pacific Legal Foundation.  
 
“Arkansas’s repeal of these unconstitutional race quotas is a win for every citizen who believes that public service should be based on merit, not skin color,” said Caleb Trotter, a PLF senior attorney. “The government cannot hand out opportunities based on race. Equality before the law means equal treatment, regardless of race or background. We’re grateful to Representative Karilyn Brown for authoring this important bill.” 
 
“This victory reinforces a fundamental American principle: that race should never be a barrier to opportunity,” said Monica Harris, Executive Director of the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR). “By eliminating race-based quotas, Arkansas has taken a meaningful step toward a society where individuals are judged by their character and contributions, not their skin color.” 
 
The lawsuits challenged race-based mandates that barred otherwise qualified citizens from serving on public boards simply because of their race. In Arkansas, that meant boards like the Occupational Therapy Examining Committee and the Board of Examiners in Counseling were required to reserve seats for racial minorities, disqualifying applicants who did not meet that racial test.  
 
“Arkansas has affirmed a simple truth: public service should be open to all qualified citizens, regardless of race,” said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Founder and Chairman of Do No Harm. “We’re grateful to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for signing this important bill and championing equal opportunity for all. Do No Harm will continue to challenge racial discrimination in the courts and state capitols across the country to restore integrity and excellence in healthcare.” 
 
This is a step toward a future where individuals are treated as individuals, not as representatives of racial groups. We commend Arkansas for rejecting race-based mandates and restoring fairness to public service.