Republican Rep. Marcus Richmond, who made the motion to table the legislation, said lawmakers need more time.
ARKANSAS STAFFER ACCUSED OF THROWING STUDENT JOURNALIST’S PHONE AFTER LOSS TO TEXAS A&M
"If you're going to do something that has that much impact, you need to do your due diligence on it," he said.
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, the bill's sponsor, said he asked that the bill be tabled to give him time to meet with House members. Sullivan has said his proposal is an effort to address discrimination.
A proposal to end affirmative action in Arkansas was tabled by a state House panel on Monday. The proposal was tabled in fear that it would jeopardize other state programs.
ARKANSAS PASSES SWEEPING EDUCATION REFORM BILL, HEADS TO GOV. SARAH SANDERS DESK
Opponents say the proposal threatens dozens of state and local programs, including efforts to improve the health of racial minorities and support historically Black colleges.
The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a challenge to admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, two institutions that consider race among many factors in seeking a diverse student body.
Several states already have bans or restrictions on affirmative action. The most recent to enact such a prohibition was Idaho in 2020.