Senator Greg Leding of Fayetteville represents District 30, which includes most of the city of Fayetteville in Washington County. His first Senate term began in 2019.
Senator Leding vice chair of the Senate Rules, Resolutions and Memorials Committee. He is a member of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, the Joint Retirement and Social Security Committee, the Joint Budget Committee and the Arkansas Legislature Council. For the 95th General Assembly Senator Leding is serving his second term as the Senate Minority Leader.
In the past, Senator Leding was vice chair of the Senate Committee on City, County and Local Affairs. Before his election to the Senate, he served in the House of Representatives from 2011 through 2018 representing House District 86. Senator Leding was Minority Leader for one term when he was a member of the House. He was co-chair of the ALC – Higher Education Subcommittee, vice chair of the Insurance and Commerce – House Insurance Subcommittee, chair of the Public Health – House Labor and Environment Subcommittee and vice chair of the House Committee for Arkansas Boys State.
During the 94th General Assembly, Senator Leding sponsored the Liza Fletcher Act. The act authorizes the use of rapid DNA technology in certain circumstances. He also sponsored legislation to create the Coach Safely Act and to amend the law concerning termination of parole for a person who was a minor when he or she committed an offense.
During the 2019 legislative session, Senator Leding co-sponsored legislation to raise teacher salaries, to expand insurance coverage for mammograms and breast cancer exams, to promote cottage industries and to raise the minimum legal age for getting married. Senator Leding co-sponsored a wide range of legislation to increase teachers’ salaries, to improve Arkansas’ 911 system, to allow cites to have an entertainment district and to modify the Arkansas Pharmacy Benefits Manager Licensure Act.
In past sessions, Senator Leding has sponsored legislation to give teachers an income tax deduction for buying items for their classrooms, to mandate training for public school athletic coaches in sudden cardiac arrest and to give students a protection of their personal information online. Senator Leding has passed legislation to help small breweries bring their products to festivals. In 2013, Senator Leding sponsored legislation to strengthen smoking rules on medical facilities grounds.
Senator Leding is a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and is a member of its Foundation Board. He is also a member of NCSL’s Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs. The Task Force examine issues affecting military-community relations and the health and well-being of service members, veterans and their families.
Senator Leding is a native of Springdale and graduated from Springdale High School. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. He and his wife, Emily, have a daughter.
