Permits — Location — Background check required. [Effective if contingency in Acts 2023, No. 629, § 17, is met or repealed if contingency in Acts 2025, No. 934, § 23, is met.]

(a) A retail, wholesale, or manufacturer permit shall not be issued to a residential address, a mobile structure or vehicle, or for an address not zoned appropriately for the business seeking to secure the permit.

(b) A permit shall not be issued to:(1) A person who has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony; or(2) A business owned or operated, in whole or in part, by a person who has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony.

(1) A person who has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony; or

(2) A business owned or operated, in whole or in part, by a person who has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony.

(c) Arkansas Tobacco Control shall conduct a criminal background check on each permit applicant and application, utilizing its Arkansas Crime Information Center access as a law enforcement agency, in accordance with §§ 12-12-1008 — 12-12-1011.