Bruce Alan Cozart (born October 3, 1955) is an American politician and businessman who has been a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives since 2011.
Bruce Cozart | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office March 11, 2011 | |
| Constituency |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1955 Pearcy, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Early life and education
Cozart was born on October 3, 1955.[1] Cozart graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in 1973.[1]
Early career
Cozart founded Bruce Cozart Construction, Inc. in 1977.[1] He is a general contractor for commercial and residential buildings.[2] Cozart served on the Lake Hamilton school board from 1991 to 2001.[1][2]
Political career
2011 election
Cozart won a special election against Jerry Raphon on March 8, 2011.[3]
2011-12 Legislature
During the 2011-12 Legislature Cozart served on the following committees:[4]
- Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs
- Public Transportation
2012 election
Cozart won re-election 7,778 votes to 4,624 against Jimmie Harmon.[4]
2013-14 Legislature
During the 2013-14 Legislature Cozart served on the following committees:[4]
- Joint Energy
- Education
- City, County and Local Affairs
2014 election
Cozart ran unopposed in the 2014 election.[4]
2015-16 Legislature
During the 2015-16 Legislature Cozart served on the following committees:[4]
- Education, Chairman
- Insurance and Commerce
- Legislative Joint Auditing
2016 election
Cozart ran unopposed in the 2016 election.[4]
2017-18 Legislature
During the 2017-18 Legislature Cozart served on the Following committees:[4]
- Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development
- Education, Chairman
2018 election
Cozart won re-election 6,460 votes to Kallen Peret's 2,913.[4]
2019-20 Legislature
During the 2019-20 Legislature Cozart served on the Following committees:[4]
- Academic Facilities Oversight Committee, Co-chairman
- Legislative Council
- House Education Committee
- House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee
In February 2019, Cozart sponsored a bill that would raise minimum teacher salaries across the state of Arkansas.[5]The bill was passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives.[6] There were funding concerns about the bill before it passed.[7]
2020 election
Cozart ran unopposed in the 2020 election.[4]
2021-22 Legislature
During the 2021-22 Legislature Cozart serves on the Following committees:[4]
- House Education Committee, Chairman
- House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee
- Joint Performance Review Committee
- Legislative Council
In February 2021, Cozart sponsored a bill that would allow parents to challenge curriculum they did not like.[8]It came less than a day after a failure of a bill that banned the 1619 Project from being used in schools.[9] The bill passed and became law.[10]Cozart, alongside Missy Irvin in the Arkansas Senate, helped get another teacher pay increase bill passed in both the Arkansas House and Senate in April 2021.[11] The bill would aim to increase median teacher salaries across the board.[12]Governor Asa Hutchinson signed the bills on April 12, 2021.[12]
Personal life
Cozart is married and has two sons.[2] Cozart is a follower of the Assembly of God faith.[2]