Changes

In the November 4 [[general election]], Hodges with 4,330 votes (59 percent), prevailed over the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tom McClure, who polled 2,605 votes, and the [[Libertarian Party]] candidate,  Michael J. Kalagias (born c. 1968) of Garfield in Benton County, who held the remaining 375 ballots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2014|title=District 96|publisher=ballotpedia.org|accessdate=February 27, 2021}}</ref> Hodges was assigned to the House committees on: (1) Education and (2) Insurance and Commerce.<ref name=glh/>

In the November 4 [[general election]], Hodges with 4,330 votes (59 percent), prevailed over the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tom McClure, who polled 2,605 votes, and the [[Libertarian Party]] candidate,  Michael J. Kalagias (born c. 1968) of Garfield in Benton County, who held the remaining 375 ballots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2014|title=District 96|publisher=ballotpedia.org|accessdate=February 27, 2021}}</ref> Hodges was assigned to the House committees on: (1) Education and (2) Insurance and Commerce.<ref name=glh/>

In February 2015, Hodges supported House Bill 1228, sponsored by [[Bob Ballinger]] of Carroll County, which sought to prohibit government from imposing a burden on the free exercise of religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 11, 2015}}</ref> The measure passed the House, seventy-two to twenty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> One of the opponents, Democratic Representative [[Camille Bennett]], a former city attorney for Lonoke, Arkansas, called for a reworking of the legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticbb.net/news/read/category/General/article/the_associated_press-indiana_arkansas_try_to_stem_religious_objections-ap|title=Indiana, Arkansas try to stem religious objections uproar|publisher=Atlantic Broadband|date=April 3, 2015|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> Bennett claimed the Ballinger bill would establish a "type of religious litmus test" which could impact nearly any law under consideration by the legislature.<ref name=religiousfreedom>

In February 2015, Hodges supported House Bill 1228, sponsored by [[Bob Ballinger]] of Carroll County, which sought to prohibit government from imposing a burden on the free exercise of religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 11, 2015}}</ref> The measure passed the House, seventy-two to twenty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> One of the opponents, Democratic Representative [[Camille Bennett]], a former city attorney for Lonoke, Arkansas, called for a reworking of the legislation.<ref>Indiana, Arkansas try to stem religious objections uproar," Atlantic Broadband, April 3, 2015.</ref> Bennett claimed the Ballinger bill would establish a "type of religious litmus test" which could impact nearly any law under consideration by the legislature.<ref name=religiousfreedom>

"Opponents of Religious Freedom Bill Point Out Law Differences, Possible Unintended Consequences," Fox Channel 16 ([[Litttle Rock]]), April 1, 2015.</ref> The measure was subsequently passed by a large margin in the House and signed into law in revised form, SB 975, by Governor Hutchinson.<ref>"Gov. Hutchinson signs revised religious freedom bill; HB 1228 recalled," KTHV-TV (Little Rock), April 2, 2015.</ref>  

"Opponents of Religious Freedom Bill Point Out Law Differences, Possible Unintended Consequences," Fox Channel 16 ([[Little Rock]]), April 1, 2015.</ref> The measure was subsequently passed by a large margin in the House and signed into law in revised form, SB 975, by Governor Hutchinson.<ref>"Gov. Hutchinson signs revised religious freedom bill; HB 1228 recalled," KTHV-TV (Little Rock), April 2, 2015.</ref>  

Hodges also supported legislation which allows public school teachers to withdraw memberships from [[labor union]]s at any time of their choosing, rather than making an irrevocable annual decision each August.<ref name=face/>

Hodges also supported legislation which allows public school teachers to withdraw memberships from [[labor union]]s at any time of their choosing, rather than making an irrevocable annual decision each August.<ref name=face/>