Republican Admits Ultimate Goal of Arkansas Age Verification Bill is Federal Law

Republican Admits Ultimate Goal of Arkansas Age Verification Bill is Federal Law

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A Republican state senator in Arkansas who introduced a bill last month requiring age verification before “entering a website offering pornography” admitted that his state initiative is only a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal of a federal mandate.

Sen. Tyler Dees (R-Siloam Springs) made the unusually candid admission today to Motherboard tech reporter Samantha Cole, who regularly covers issues around adult content online.

“My hope is that we protect children and their innocence in [the] state of Arkansas and then send a message across the country that we need something similar built into federal law as well,” Dees told Cole regarding his Senate Bill 66, which proposes a “Protection of Minors from Distribution of Harmful Material Act” and is co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Petty (R-Van Buren).

The proposed legislation is a copycat version of Louisiana’s Act 440, a new law enacted in January after being championed by a religious anti-porn activist Republican legislator.

Dees, also an executive in a poultry plant who says he spends his free time “in Bible study,” told Motherboard that SB 66 was “inspired by many constituents in my district who are concerned about the growing problems related to pornography and the advancement of technology and devices around our children.”

The state senator also referred to a supposed “explosion” in the ability of children to access online content.

As XBIZ reported, Dees’ proposed bill requires a “digitized identification card” to prove the age of anyone from Arkansas trying to enter “any website with over 23.33% of its material meeting the pornography description.”

The bill also claims that “pornography is creating a public health crisis and contributes to the hyper-sexualization of minors,” NBC affiliate KARK reported.

Dees’ SB 66 — promoted amidst what Free Speech Coalition has called a wave of “the most aggressive censorship we've seen in decades” — also includes the state senator’s definition of what kinds of material would constitute “pornography.”

Republicans throughout the country are currently seeking to outlaw all adult content by overturning the 1973 “Miller Test” differentiating First Amendment-protected sexual material from illegal “obscene” material produced to appeal to “a prurient interest.”

Main Image: Anti-porn Arkansas State Senator Tyler Dees (R-Siloam Springs) (Photo: Arkansas Senate)

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Cherry Kiss, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 4th Quarter of 2024

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in gay and straight theaters for the fourth quarter of 2024.

A Golden Night in Hollywood: 2025 XMAs Shine on Adult Entertainment's Best

To paraphrase the unofficial U.S. Postal Service motto: Neither rain nor cold nor the chaos of natural disasters can stop members of the adult entertainment community from the completion of their appointed duty every January: to honor the artistic and commercial achievements of their peers.

What Changes in DC Could Mean for the Adult Industry

On November 5, 2024, American voters were called to the polls. The results of that election revealed an unquestionably uncomfortable truth for everyone, regardless of party or ideology: the “united” part of United States does not appear to be holding strong.

Byborg Acquires Gamma Entertainment

Luxembourg-based Byborg Enterprises SA has acquired 100% of Canadian adult conglomerate Gamma Entertainment.

Adult Creative Debuts 'Pornful' Website Management Platform

Web design and marketing firm Adult Creative has launched its new Pornful website management platform.

2025 XMA Winners Announced

Winners of the 2025 XMAs were revealed Sunday night during a ceremony hosted by Vanna Bardot and Ryan Reid at the world-famous Hollywood Palladium.

X3 Expo Day 2 Looks at the Industry's Past, and Ahead to Its Future

A gorgeous day in LA saw a massive procession making its way along Sunset Blvd., as hundreds of excited fans headed to the historic Hollywood Palladium for a rendezvous with the galaxy of A-list adult stars awaiting them on Day 2 of the 2025 X3 Expo.

X3 Expo Pops Off With All-Star Lineup

A wave of excited fans cascaded down Sunset Blvd., cresting and breaking with anticipation as they flowed into the historic Hollywood Palladium, where the A-list echelon of the adult world stood ready to greet them, pose with them, chat them up, and showcase the latest in spicy entertainment, as the 2025 X3 Expo popped off.

XBIZ Honors Uplifts Spirits Amid Challenging Times for LA and the Adult Industry

"A bunch of misfit toys." That’s how MojoHost founder Brad Mitchell described himself and his industry peers at the 2025 XBIZ Honors ceremony at Hollywood’s Kimpton Everly Hotel. Everyone cheered in agreement. Frankly, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kansas Sues Adult Website Operator Under AV Law

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has filed suit against SARJ LLC, alleging that the company’s adult websites have failed to implement age verification as mandated by state law.

Show More