Senator Matt Stone was elected to the Senate in November 2022 and was sworn in on January 9, 2023. He represents District 2, which includes Calhoun, Dallas, Ouachita and Union Counties and part of Grant County.
Senator Stone is vice-chair of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, the Senate Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs Committee, the Senate Rules, Resolutions and Memorials Committee and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee.
In 2025 Senator Stone sponsored legislation that created the offense of capital rape. He also sponsored legislation that prohibits antisemitism in public elementary and secondary schools and legislation that prohibits the practice of forestry without a valid certificate.
He sponsored and successfully handled the appropriation for the SAU-Tech Fire Training Academy.
In 2023, Senator Stone sponsored legislation to establish the Arkansas Prescribed Burning Act and to amend the law regarding timber sales. He also sponsored legislation to amend the law concerning the correction of errors on ballots and to amend the compensation of a member of a county board of election commissioners.
Senator Stone has served on the Camden City Council, the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team and was appointed to the Arkansas Forestry Division in 2018.
Senator Stone is the seventh generation of his family to be born in Arkansas.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Forestry and Mine Management and Safety, a graduate certificate in Conflict Mediation, a Master’s in Operation Management and Theology, and a Doctorate of Theology.
Senator Stone is president of Stone Timber Company, Inc. which was founded with his brother, David, in 1988.
Senator Stone has been married to his wife, Jenny, for more than 45 years and lives in Camden. He is a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and teaches Sunday School when called upon. Senator Stone and his wife have three adult children and are grandparents to seven grandkids.
He enjoys reading, hunting, fishing and making homemade ice cream.