LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal to remove or alter any military or historical monument on public property, including Confederate monuments, unless a state commission agrees to the changes.
The bill, which was sponsored by Republican state Sen. Mark Johnson, has cleared the state Senate and is being considered by a state House committee.
Johnson says the bill would protect “heritage” from people who have political agendas.
It comes as various cities are wrestling with how to deal with controversial monuments, especially those that honor the Confederacy.
Any changes to a monument would have to be granted by a waiver from the state’s historical commission.
Violations would be punished by a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the cost of the damage and prior convictions.
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