Education Committee- House
Video
Transcript
1 document
Bills discussed (60)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1919
· 8 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021. HB1919 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPAREN…”
|
TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO … | McAlindon | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1990
· 6 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSE IN ORDER TO GRADUATE. HB1990 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION. SB4…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION. | McAlindon | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
SB572
Act 649
· 6 mentions in transcript, chapter, agenda
Matched: “the next bill is the companion bill to it, which is Senate Bill 572. It is the identical bill. Uh, I ran this amendment”
|
TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB572 is now Act 649 |
|
SB467
Act 645
· 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB467 C. Penzo TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER"…”
|
TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB467 is now Act 645 |
|
HB1709
· 4 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…Hope Duke RE-REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1709 Steele TO AMEND THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS P…”
|
TO AMEND THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM; AND TO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH … | Steele | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1924
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “HB1924 Puryear TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE BOARD OF E…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTABLISH RULES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION … | Puryear | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1962
· 4 mentions in transcript, agenda, chapter
Matched: “…preciate that. uh, so Representative Vau is gonna pull down HB 1962, sent it to ISP in the interim. Any questions for Represent…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM SERVING OR SELLING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING … | Vaught | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1806
· 3 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1806 Vaught TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KI…”
|
TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE STUDENTS; AND TO ALLOW … | Vaught | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1017
Act 904
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…D THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATION CHARTER SCHOOLS. HB1017 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE … | A. Collins | Notification that HB1017 is now Act 904 |
|
HB1020
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…SCHOOL IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN A HOME SCHOOL. HB1020 A. Collins TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FR…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM; TO CREATE A NEW EDUCATION FUNDING … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1023
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1023 A. Collins TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AND TO AMEND THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1025
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…EPAYMENT AMOUNTS UNDER THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM. HB1025 McGruder TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.…”
|
TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025. | McGruder | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1027
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1027 D. Garner TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO…”
|
TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO REQUIRE THE TREASURER OF STATE … | D. Garner | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1030
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TING AND FUTURE ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN ACCOUNT. HB1030 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENF…”
|
TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION IN YOUTH … | T. Shephard | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1031
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…OUNSELOR TO RECEIVE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING. HB1031 D. Garner TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATIO…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATION ACT OF 2025; AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH … | D. Garner | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1081
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1081 B. McKenzie TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMEN…”
|
TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES. | B. McKenzie | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1139
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…NT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES. HB1139 B. McKenzie TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. HB17…”
|
TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. | B. McKenzie | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1144
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1144 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS…”
|
TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM TO COMPLY … | Wooten | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1197
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1197 S. Meeks TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN O…”
|
TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN OUTDOOR PRACTICE, SCRIMMAGE, GAME, OR ACTIVITY FOR AN … | S. Meeks | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1239
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…IC SCHOOLS ADDRESSES CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES FACING STUDENTS. HB1239 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003;…”
|
TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1312
Act 909
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1312 Brooks TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUB…”
|
TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. | Brooks | Notification that HB1312 is now Act 909 |
|
HB1482
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…NT AT EACH MEETING OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. HB1482 Gramlich TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RE…”
|
TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A … | Gramlich | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1490
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. HB1490 Wardlaw TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUD…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT RETURN TEMPORARILY ISSUED ITEMS, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, … | Wardlaw | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1492
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A GED TEST AND RECEIVES A GED. HB1492 Gramlich TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-EN…”
|
TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE … | Gramlich | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1528
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…DITIONAL CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING. HB1528 McGruder TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CU…”
|
TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL. | McGruder | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1539
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…RT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL. HB1539 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003;…”
|
TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1541
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1541 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDI…”
|
TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDING OF ANY TYPE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION … | Wooten | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1542
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1542 Wooten TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL S…”
|
TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT; AND TO REQUIRE PRIVATE … | Wooten | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1710
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1710 Vaught TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM USING OR REFERENCING A PUB…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM USING OR REFERENCING A PUBLIC SCHOOL RATING IN ANY ADVERTISING, … | Vaught | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1719
Act 905
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1719 Vaught TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MA…”
|
TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS APPROVED BY … | Vaught | Notification that HB1719 is now Act 905 |
|
HB1727
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1727 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATIO…”
|
TO AMEND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATION CHARTER SCHOOLS. | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1755
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1755 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN…”
|
TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARKANSAS PREVENTION NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY. | T. Shephard | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1761
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…as as 'Members and Staff Only'. MONTHS OR YOUNGER TO WORK. HB1761 D. Garner TO INCREASE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE EST…”
|
TO INCREASE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INCOME LIMITS FOR STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL … | D. Garner | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1825
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…CY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS. HB1825 Wooldridge TO ALLOW A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO REQUIRE AN ENRO…”
|
TO ALLOW A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO REQUIRE AN ENROLLED STUDENT TO EARN ONE UNIT … | Wooldridge | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1864
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1864 Andrews TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO IMPROVE…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN STUDENT INSTRUCTION; AND TO … | Andrews | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1874
Act 795
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ARDIZED FLEXIBLE SCHOOL CALENDAR SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. HB1874 B. McKenzie AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT … | B. McKenzie | Notification that HB1874 is now Act 795 |
|
HB1903
Act 911
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1903 Walker TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FLEXIBILITY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE … | Walker | Notification that HB1903 is now Act 911 |
|
HB1933
Act 912
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ULES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEKS. HB1933 McCollum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOAR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A … | McCollum | Notification that HB1933 is now Act 912 |
|
HB1940
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1940 Walker TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DI…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT INITIATES AND MAINTAINS A FOUR-DAY … | Walker | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1945
Act 913
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1945 McCollum TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CH…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE … | McCollum | Notification that HB1945 is now Act 913 |
|
HB1966
Act 914
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1966 Barnett TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE … | Barnett | Notification that HB1966 is now Act 914 |
|
HB1977
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…CY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS. HB1977 Bentley TO CREATE THE PROTECTING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IN LIB…”
|
TO CREATE THE PROTECTING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IN LIBRARIES ACT. | Bentley | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1986
Act 794
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1986 Nazarenko CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLE…”
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CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS. | Nazarenko | Notification that HB1986 is now Act 794 |
|
SB183
Act 724
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…Y AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. SB183 J. Dotson TO AMEND THE UNIVERSAL ACT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ACT…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIVERSAL ACT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB183 is now Act 724 |
|
SB303
Act 644
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB303 Dees TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVAT…”
|
TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN … | Dees | Notification that SB303 is now Act 644 |
|
SB352
Act 721
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…EEDOM ACCOUNTS IN THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR AND THEREAFTER. SB352 Stone TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SEC…”
|
TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED … | Stone | Notification that SB352 is now Act 721 |
|
SB373
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB373 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION.”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION. | Irvin | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB402
Act 725
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB402 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCAT…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE FROM REQUIRING OR TAKING … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB402 is now Act 725 |
|
SB425
Act 722
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB425 J. English TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE…”
|
TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING ENHANCED TRANSPORTATION; AND TO DECLARE AN … | J. English | Notification that SB425 is now Act 722 |
|
SB450
Act 915
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…990 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION. SB450 B. Davis TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE A HUMAN FETAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION … | B. Davis | Notification that SB450 is now Act 915 |
|
SB470
Act 646
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB470 J. Dotson TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMIN…”
|
TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB470 is now Act 646 |
|
SB484
Act 726
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB484 Irvin TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY A VACANCY IS FILLED ON…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY A VACANCY IS FILLED ON A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF … | Irvin | Notification that SB484 is now Act 726 |
|
SB504
Act 727
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…VACANCY IS FILLED ON A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SB504 Irvin TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS RURAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS RURAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM ACT. | Irvin | Notification that SB504 is now Act 727 |
|
SB515
Act 647
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB515 J. Petty TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETER…”
|
TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN … | J. Petty | Notification that SB515 is now Act 647 |
|
SB547
Act 728
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB547 D. Sullivan TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED S…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT LIVE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF A … | D. Sullivan | Notification that SB547 is now Act 728 |
|
SB90
Act 902
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…CHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. SB90 J. English TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED…”
|
TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENT … | J. English | Notification that SB90 is now Act 902 |
|
HB1022
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1022 A. Collins TO REPEAL PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR…”
|
TO REPEAL PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1242
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1242 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES A…”
|
TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED. | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1747
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1747 Vaught TO CREATE THE BABIES AT SCHOOL ACT; AND TO ALLOW SCH…”
|
TO CREATE THE BABIES AT SCHOOL ACT; AND TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO PERMIT EMPLOYEES WHO … | Vaught | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
SB559
Act 729
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB559 J. English TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRAN…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021. | J. English | Notification that SB559 is now Act 729 |
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Morning, House Ed, Chair Cesar Quorum, members, we are going to start off as we always do with prayer. I'm going to recognize Representative Cozart to start us. If you would, please stand. Just a quick
note, if you would, all of you in the Representative Cozart as well, remember Representative Duke. She just got a call that her mom was
being taken to the emergency room with some heart issues. Don't know the extent of it, but it was a pretty challenging morning. So please pray for her as well as the Hendren family, if you would, please. If you would
Speaker 3
0:27
just pray along with me about those items and we just go to you now, Lord.
Speaker 5
0:31
We just come to you, Lord, to thank you for all the things that you have your hand on. Without you, each and every day, Lord, where would we go? What would we do? We would be lost. We thank you for that, Lord. We thank you for what we're going to do here today, Lord, about the state's business, Lord. But we want your hand on that, too, Lord, that we would do the right thing for the patrons of this state. Thank you, Representative.
So, members, without objection, we've come to expect this of me and this committee as we're going to move around. We're going to try to catch everybody we can, when we can catch them, based
upon other committee responsibilities. this morning so obviously a lot of members are going to be in and out and so we will do our best number one to address house bills as a priority and then anything else that we can catch while a member is in the room so first i'm going to recognize without objection
representative purrier for 1924 represent if you would please introduce yourself and you're recognized chad purrier house
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
1:44
district 25 just wanted to sit down here and say i'm going to withdraw hb 1924 it is my understanding that we're going to get this issue resolved i do appreciate the committee's hard work on this and all the members and i know you guys put a lot of time in it so we will withdraw that
Speaker 9
2:03
bill and i appreciate you guys represent puryear plans to
withdraw the bill any questions for representative puryear seeing none thank you representative uh next recognized without objection uh moving to third page of the agenda, Representative Vaught
for HP 1962. If you will, please, Representative,
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
2:18
introduce yourself for the record, and you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. DM Vaught, District 87. I'm going to ask to
put this into an ISP so we can study it. I've got some questions about, you know, football games and Gatorade and popcorn and parties at schools, and so we're going to pull this down. We'll do an interim study on it and maybe have something ready to go by next session. That's a fan of popcorn.
I appreciate that. So Representative Vaught is going to pull
down HB1962, send it to ISP in the interim. Any questions for Representative Vaught? Seeing none, thank you
ma'am. Thank you. All right members, without objection, going back to the
first page. So we're going to start having votes on bills that do show a fiscal impact. That's something we had said we're going to hold until the end of the
session, we're now there. Obviously, it will be the will of the committee based upon what that is in terms of overall fiscal impact or fiscal capacity. I don't know that there is a significant amount. However, it's obviously the
members' right to run the bill, the committee's right to vote on the bill up or down. First,
I do want to recognize Representative Collins for 1017. Representative, if you would please introduce yourself and you're
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
3:41
recognized on 1017. Thank you committee. This is a bill presented it last week and this is the
maternity leave for public school teachers bill. Really appreciated the positive discussion and the motion by representative Vaught. I want to emphasize this as no new GR. This is all going to be done from within the department's budget and so I
believe that does not run afoul of your um of your need to not have new gr so i would appreciate all right i appreciate the motion i appreciate a good vote just a
Speaker 19
4:10
follow-up are there any questions for representative collins seeing no
questions we do have a motion on the table of do pass there's discussion on that motion see no discussion all in favor say aye all opposed congratulations This is Representative Collins. You passed your bill. Thank you.
Members, I'm waiting on a couple of folks to get back with me as to when they
are coming. We will go to Representative Steele, recognized for 1709. If you would, please
introduce yourself for the record, and you're recognized.
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
5:07
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members, Tracy Steele, District 72. This is a bill that's been before you a
few times. It's been voted out. It has two financial impact studies, and it was amended so that this does not obligate the Department of Education or the Department of Human Services to put any funding in the program. We will be working with other people who have bills and think that we can partner with some of the other programs throughout the state. I think you heard testimony from DHS.
They support it. I've worked with the governor's office. They support it, and the Department of Education. Would
appreciate a good vote. So are there questions for Representative Seale? I wanted to clarify a couple things, if I could, Representative. Sure. So I know a couple different fiscal impacts on it. One, I guess the second one, shows the state share
of $31 million. Can you just refresh my memory and help me remember kind of how that plays out? Because if I remember right, that was just a portion of school districts that were looked at.
I just want to make sure, I guess the way that I struggled on it was, if we are not
having a requirement for it, then what's the impact or what's the
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
6:22
benefit of it? Well, I would answer the first question first. The fiscal impact that I mentioned is, anyone from the Department of Human Services is here? So anybody
Speaker 21
6:32
from DHS here? I think they have been here several times. I believe Tiffany was
here. I saw her in the hallway.
If anyone might go grab Tiffany Wright, if she happens to be in the hallway. I know
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
6:55
she was hanging around earlier. I don't believe there's anybody else from the Department of Human Services. While they're doing that, I can ask you a second question, Mr. Chairman. The
impact and why this is needed is this is an existing program. This has been in effect for many years. I said 12. I was misquoted. It's been 15 years. But when the program started, it just dealt with social workers.
And now we have updated things. All you know in this committee very well that kids bring a lot of issues to school. Sometimes they're not all good. Sometimes they need to be addressed. This just expands that definition of what the program was about, from just being social workers to also being mental health counselors as well.
That's all it does. I believe
Ms. Wright is in the room now. If you would, please just
introduce yourself for the record, and we'll continue with the questions.
Speaker 39
7:51
Hi, good morning. I'm Tiffany Wright. I'm the director for the Division of Children
and Family Services. Thank you, Ms. Wright. I think the question was just surrounding how DHS, CCFS looks at House Bill 1709, and
then kind of just looking at the fiscal impact and what the impact of that would be, Should we not actually fund that, just kind of what those dynamics
Speaker 40
8:16
look like? So as explained in prior testimony, I think that was last week,
Speaker 39
8:22
currently DCFS provides prevention services in collaboration with what happens with home and community-based services through Medicaid. We also have staff who are not located in schools but provide parenting, transportation to families that we're working with. Also, as it relates to the financial impact, we did estimate one family service worker, one mental health counselor per four school districts for 99 school districts
following the formula that's in here related to the 80% free, sorry, 80% of the eligible income for free and reduced lunch. I think that some of this work is happening across the state, maybe not necessarily with staff in schools. And so should
this bill pass out, but we not have a financing method for it,
how would Representative Steele, how would it impact the work that DCFS or DHS is currently doing with regard to this? well
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
9:42
let me let me speak to that as well because it's not just dhs or dcfs it's also the schools themselves it's also a program that in the past have received funding from other sources i can remember one time it received funding from what we what's now known as tanif funding tanif
over funding i think there were a few million dollars put in the program uh so we do not know But we want the infrastructure in place so that when money does come available, then we have a program in place already, Mr. Chairman, that the funding could be there. As I mentioned, I don't know if I mentioned this last time or not, but a great example is my school district in North Little Rock, where I served on the school board for eight years. We had a social worker from this very program, from DHS.
She served for a couple of years under a one-year contract. She served two contract years. Then the school district picked her up on a permanent basis after she completed her work. Now that young lady is president of our school board in North Little Rock. So the program has been very successful in a multiplicity of ways. Are there additional questions about the
committee? So we've already had testimony on this.
We've already asked questions on it, so Representative Steele, would you like to close for your bill? I'm close. Representative Steele is closed for his bill. What's the will of the committee? We have a motion due pass. Is there, as amended, I'm sorry, due pass as amended. Is there a discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say
aye. Aye. All opposed? No. I'm sorry, Representative Steele, your bill has failed. Representative Steele, your bill has
failed. members, we are currently one short of a quorum. And so I'm going to recess and see if we can get
some other folks here so we can at least have a baby quorum, at least be into 11 members, because I want to make sure that, because as we are, unless I'm counting wrong, so somebody please correct me. I'm trying to count. I'm trying to count and talk at the same time. But I want to make sure that as we hear new bills, because I believe everything else is going to be a new piece of legislation we have not heard yet. So I want to assure that we give all members a fair hearing on that bill, and especially as we will be voting on those things.
So House Education will stand in recess. I'm not going to give you a time frame. I'm going to say 10 minutes, and then we'll
see what we can gather up. House Education will stand in recess for 10 minutes. Thank you.
Unknown speaker
13:00
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All right, chair sees a quorum again, again it may be quorum but we'll do what we can. are going to, without objection, I'm going to hear from Representative Gramlich for Senate
Bill 467, then we're going to go to
Representative McElindon for a couple bills. Representative Gramlich, if you would please introduce yourself for the record
Speaker 55
21:39
and you're recognized. Thank you, Zach Gramlich, State Representative, District 50, Fort Smith.
Speaker 57
21:46
Excuse me. Senate Bill 467, honestly, I would argue it should be in public health because we deal with this exact same language a few months ago. To give you a little bit of context, there was a bill for
athletic trainers, and there was a bill for physical therapists, and there was a lot of compromise that happened. And during the compromise, chiropractors said, well, we should be a healthcare provider, and we're not listed here. And so we told them, let us get through with these bills, and then we will add you to that list. So this is me making a good of my promise, saying We're going to add you to the list for someone who can deal with a student-athlete concussion. Are there any questions for Representative Graham?
Seeing no questions, we do not have anyone signed up to speak for or against this bill. Would anyone like to speak for or
Speaker 57
22:38
against the bill? Seeing none, Representative Graham, would you like to close for your bill? I am closed for my bill, and I
would appreciate a good vote and a motion. Representative Graham is closed for Senate Bill 467. We have a motion on the table to do pass from Representative Cozart. Is there a discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. All opposed, congratulations, Representative Gramlich. You've passed your bill. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Committee, for your time. Committee, without objection, we are going to move to wherever on the agenda Representative McElindon is,
and we're going to hear, I believe, two bills from her. I will let her introduce herself and tell you which bills those are. And I believe you do have an amendment, am
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
23:11
I correct? Yes, sir. Representative Mindy McElindon, House District 10. We'll start with 1919. Is that the one with the amendment? Yes. Okay, so
staff, I'll pass out the amendment if you would give us a little time to look at that, and then we'll discuss the adoption.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
23:48
so the amendment that you have before you just reflects a few changes as we talk to higher ed to make sure that what we were doing applied
to k-12 schools representative mechalinen has explained the amendment we have a motion to adopt for their discussion on that motion seeing none all in favor say aye all opposed congratulations you've adopted the amendment. Now you're recognized to present House Bill 1919 as amended. Thank you.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
24:21
So House Bill 1919 is the Public School Access and Transparency Act. Actually, Representative Cozart referenced this when I brought you my Parents and Teachers Helping Students Succeed Act to make sure that when public schools make copies for parents, they are not violating copyright law. It also addresses digital access as well. I did take this bill in front of the FOIA task force, and they felt comfortable with it and approved it as well. I'm happy to answer any additional questions. Are there questions for Representative McElhinney on this bill?
Seeing no questions, we do not have anyone signed up to speak for or against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for or against House Bill 1919? Seeing none, we have a motion on the table to do pass as amended for House Bill 1919. Is there a discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, congratulations for representing you. Pass your bill
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
25:13
as amended. Thank you. So the next bill is the companion bill to it, which is Senate Bill 572. It is the identical bill. I ran
Speaker 74
25:21
this amendment to match Senate Bill 572. And with that, I'll take any questions.
Are there questions for Representative McElhinney on House Bill 1990? I'm sorry? Is there an amendment on it? I'm sorry. The Senate
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
25:34
bill does not have an amendment because it was already engrossed in the Senate bill, and that's why I ran my House amendment. My apologies,
okay. So are there questions for the representative? I see no questions. Would anyone like to speak forward against the bill? I see none. Representative Mecklen, would you like to close for your bill? I am closed for my bill. Representative is closed
for the bill. We have a motion to do pass on the tables. Is there a discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Congratulations, Representative. You passed your bill. All right, last one,
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
26:08
I promise, and it'll be equally will be equally as fast. This is House Bill 1990. I believe there is an amendment on this bill. Yes, there is
amendment. Staff will be passing that out. If you give just a moment to take a look at it.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
26:40
Okay. I apologize for the lengthy amendment. This actually replaces the entirety of section two of your bill, and this is really the crux of
the, of the bill. Representative McElhin has presented the amendment on House Bill 1990. We have, uh, no questions on the amendment we have a motion to adopt is there discussion on that motion seeing
none all in favor say aye all opposed congratulations you've adopted your amendment now you're recognized to present house bill 1990 as
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
27:18
amended thank you chairman so this is a um a bill that i'm running that i intend to put into interim study so we can kind of study what's going on i worked with higher ed to create the purpose and kind of the structure of this isp and really the stems from we're having some troubles getting our appropriations for our higher ed universities and I think this addresses or at least we'll start to look into some of those issues and see if we can't um just put some data around are there issues are there no issues and let's really look at it and so this is kind of my
attempt to quantify uh what is going on and make sure that everything is great and I have no doubt that higher ed is handling everything really well but I think as a since we handle the money we should just put eyes on that
as well and um they agreed to let us do that and so that's what the attention of the CIS. So just to clarify, you're just intending
to pull this down and put it in ISV? No, I would like to run this through here, and
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
28:08
then I will refer it. Okay. Representative Azarenko, you're recognized
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
28:14
for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So just, and. That's how I was
Speaker 74
28:18
told to handle it. I don't know why. Yeah. Okay. So what I was told was to file the
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
28:24
bill to run it through committee, and then after it was
through committee, and it hits the floor at that point, to pull it down and refer it to ISB. That's what the parliamentarian
Speaker 97
28:37
told me to do. It's rare that I obey. I'm like being obedient, but I'm being
obedient. So I'm being looked at with the questioning faces. So the process would represent me does not have to pass it out of the committee
to get it to an interim study. So it is your purview should you choose to put an interim study to do that. Uh, you just have to reach out to Ms. Jarrow, um, to request that, uh, but you don't have to pass it out of the committee. I
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
29:06
would like to pass it out of the committee since it affects education and
y'all will be seeing it. Understood. So are there additional questions for, uh, Representative Nazarenko? You have a
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
29:15
question? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So just, just to, and I appreciate that I, uh, like the amendment and the wording on that and I appreciate it. So just so for my clarification, the main thing that this is looking at, if it does end up going that
way and goes into an interim study, then this will put it into where we can actually look at it interim ROI on each, you know, course. If there's a course that's in question, then we can look at that, uh, for return on investment. Is it really meeting the need? Is it producing what we're wanting it to produce? Is the school, you know, getting what they need to get out of it? Are the students getting it? And that's, that's the intent. That is the intention. Okay,
Speaker 107
29:54
great. Thank you very much. Ripson Kozar, you're recognized for a question. Thanks, Mr. Chair. So let me understand what you think you're trying to do.
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
30:01
So you're wanting to pass it out of this committee, which automatically puts it on the calendar.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
30:09
Correct. You want it on the calendar? Yes. And you want to run it through the House? No. Once we pass it out of committee, I want it to run through y'all because y'all will be seeing it this summer or over
the next year because my intention is to put it into interim study. And so because of that, in talking with the parliamentarian, we felt like the best thing to do was to run it through the education committee so that you all have eyes on it, that you approve it. If you're concerned about it, I can make adjustments to the way that this is set up
and then refer it to interim study. I may be wrong, but that was the way that – You've done
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
30:36
that, and the proper solution is to do what you've just done, but then say, I want to put it in an interim study. So you're saying I should refer it now. You should not vote on this bill if you're going to put it in interim study. Okay. I'm comfortable with that. No, that's the way I see it, and that's the way we've always done it before. You can do it any way you want to. I'm not sitting in that chair. You are. No, that's true. But that's just the way we've always done it. Okay. You're just pushing it on to another level that you really don't have to do for interim study. I'm comfortable with that. Vought just did one while ago the same way.
I'm comfortable with that. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
31:09
Garner, do you have a question? I just have a quick question about the study afterwards. So
for interim study, there's a lot of different ways to do interim studies as well, But you're expecting that education and higher, especially, I think, the higher-end subcommittee would be a part of that study. Yeah,
Speaker 65
31:22
that would be my intention. Great. Thank you. All right. So just to clarify,
I believe, Representative, you're going to pull the bill down, and we're going to refer it to interim study. Am I correct? Correct. Awesome.
So Representative McElhinney is going to put HB 1990 in interim study. We do not have a motion on
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
31:44
that. Representative Gonzalez-Worth, and would you like to ask a question? Yes, I would. Thank you. Okay, just to make sure. So your interim study is studying specifically the liberal arts degrees? Correct. Those seem to
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
31:55
be the ones that are generally questioned. I think most people are comfortable with the math, science, engineering courses on the whole. Okay. Thank you.
Are there additional questions about the committee? See no additional questions. Thank you, Representative McElhinney. Thank you. Thank you all. Members, without objection, we are
going to move to Representative Nazarenko. Are you going to run House Bill 1986? I can, sir. I
Speaker 124
32:29
can also do Senator Hill's 515. Let's knock out
1986. Since we've got a House Bill, we're going to make sure we get those out. If you would please
introduce yourself for the record and you're recognized. All right thank
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
32:50
you Mr. Chairman and thank you committee for allowing me to present today. So house bill excuse me Jason Nazarenko House Representatives District 4 Marion County and then parts of Baxter County. I'll bring to you today 1986, House Bill 1986, and you can see on there it is an act concerning excused absences for children of fallen service members and children of fallen first responders and for other purposes. What I want to start with is just to give you kind of a history and a backside on this. I remember back in early 2000, I was involved with a three aircraft
mission where one of those aircraft didn't come back. The way that I remember that mission was
sitting in a church with a family of my fallen soldier in front of me, Dave Stanley, his wife and his two young sons. And those two young sons were just weeping because of the loss of their father, this tragic loss. He went off to work, did not come back,
never was going to be able to be there with him. That's how I remembered it, and it
just stuck in my mind. Fast forward
many years later, obviously in aviation we're an inherently dangerous field in the service, and so we unfortunately had to deal with loss quite a bit. My last one, I mentioned it here in this committee before, was the good friend that I had and lost in my last trip to Iraq, who also had children that were in school. And what I know is that the military, our unit particularly, the Night Stalkers, we did a really good job of gathering around that family member,
gathering around those children, comforting them with that loss that they suffered. This was something that was going to happen. They're going to have to live with this for the rest of their lives. Another part of that, obviously, is school. When they go back to school, when they finally do, many of these students unfortunately are pulled from school period that year if they even are able to stay in school it's very it's a struggle but many of them don't make it through that that first year especially and so they'll end up out of school having to work through it many of them are
held back redoing that grade and that's just inevitable with this with this tragedy in uh in the you know time afterward when they do finally start going back to school uh there are certain things that they'll deal with. And this, this bill covers, you know, the, it talks about the mental stress, mental illness, or mental health concerns, uh, is how it's worded in here that they'll deal with. There's programs that are out there, great programs that have been put together for, uh, these military, uh, these military kids, as well as first responders, great programs
that the department of education even recognizes has them listed on their website, uh, that are, affiliated with the military and that they take these children in, they bring them into organizations where other children that have suffered just like them, where they can be next to somebody who's gone through that same pain and suffering. And it is very important for these students for their mental health concern or mental health going forward. It has been proven that it's made, you know, tremendous help toward allowing them to, you
know, make it through that tragedy.
So what this bill does is it, as it states, it's making it an excused absence. There are certain limitations. Obviously, it does give the school the ability to say no to certain times. If you look at the very end, if there is a test ongoing, a standardized test, that is not a time that they can be on an excused absence the student also has certain criteria that they have to be falling under and then the parent the criteria on the parent is they have to provide some some information
to the school ahead of time which then that can be backed up on that doe's website looking at those
organizations to ensure that they are affiliated and and providing that comfort care for those children so this is something as mentioned before i'm very passionate about i know that first responders and veterans families. They suffer hard, and this is one way that we can give back to them and ensure that that child can transition through this tragedy successfully.
So with that, I'm open to any questions. Representative Mayberry, you're recognized for a question. Thank
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
37:17
you, Mr. Chair. I certainly, my heart goes out to anyone in these situations, but
But people die in car accidents, tornadoes, they get shot, parents die in other circumstances. So my question is, wouldn't that child also go through grief as well? And how are we handling that differently than military or first responders? Grief is grief. And so I don't know if you can explain to me, is this never an excused absence?
Let's just say someone's mom died in a tornado. Is it not an
excused absence in that situation right now? So thank you,
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
38:03
Representative Mayberry, for that, and I appreciate that. And you are right, you know, a death is a death, but there's some deaths that are, you know, obviously when a child has to deal with their spouse or their father or mother killed in action or killed in some sort of tragic, tragic instance, it's proven that that is something that even harms even more than if it was like a death from a cancer and not belittling any kind of death because every
death is a loss. But this one specifically, this bill specifically, is just focusing on those. It's just focusing on first responders and the fallen service members, the children
of the fallen service members. So I,
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
38:44
I just think of a child who has lost their mom in a tornado or got shot in the mall, um, hit by a drunk driver. That's tragic no matter what for a child. And so I guess my
question is, uh, you know, maybe this should be broader if, if they've lost a child. I mean, if the child has lost the parent, I mean, could someone from the department maybe explain how is this handled? Do we not offer some type of help for children when they lose a parent, some excused absences available
Speaker 138
39:28
to me? Sure. Jacob Oliva, Department
of Education. Sorry, Chair. Yeah, so I mean, obviously, I think when we're dealing with a family that has a
Speaker 140
39:37
tragedy in their life, we want to support any emotional support they need, trauma, they're going to go through the different phases of grief and the schools are going to be responsive to that. I think if I was to state what the difference is in this bill versus somebody that wasn't meeting one of the qualifications or the identifying active military or first responders, is this
expands that definition to even include attend an event from sponsoring organizations. So I think there's some organizations that specifically work with families who have lost a loved one dealing to a first responding emergency or in active military. Our agency works with those organizations, and we'd be working with those families. And if those organizations are having specific events to support that student family, I think we just want to make sure we're recognizing that
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
40:32
as well. Okay. I know that there's like crime victim events for other
situations, mass shootings or something like that. Again, I think that the grief is real for that child and we need to do what we can to help. And so I just have a hard time saying that this grief is grief. I'm struggling. I understand. I feel sorry for that child, but I don't think that we can say that the loss of a first responder is more important. Life is
life, and I value all life. Representative Mayberry,
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
41:13
I definitely would agree with you, And I appreciate Secretary Oliva's, you know, concern. And this
was a veteran bill that was brought to me through the veteran organization, so it was therefore obviously going to be focused, you know, on the veteran. But I would, you know, support anything there as well, like if there was other legislature that came about that was,
you know, any kind of loss. This one, though, as Secretary Oliva did mention, this is, you know, even on page 2, line 10, you know, it brings up, you know, traumatic loss.
So it's kind of specifically on that veteran, that first responder, traumatic loss. Not saying that any loss is greater than one or the other, but on a traumatic loss. When I think of a traumatic loss, I think of,
I can remember being in high school, my senior year of high school, and having to watch on TV as they drug a body through the streets in Mogadishu. That, to me, is traumatic. And that, to me, is something that is going to have to be lived with for the rest of that family's life.
And so that's what this bill is really focusing
on, is something of that nature. Not to say that any other loss is any less. So
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
42:26
I do appreciate that question. I do know a family. The son watched his dad shoot his mom. That's traumatic. definitely witnessing that and that child would be left out of this
and so i mean for that purpose i i just i have a hard time if we're going to do this let's do it right and not carve out a little niche of well it's only important if it's a first responder
it's only important if it's a military it's important to all these kids that's
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
43:08
traumatic And I can see what you're saying, but this bill is not saying that those deaths are not
traumatic or not worthy. This bill, if I would have loved to have seen this bill go to the Veterans Committee personally,
because I look at this more of a veterans bill than anything so specifically. But I do appreciate your
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
43:28
question. Do the school districts already allow some of this, though?
I mean, I would think that a school counselor or a school should be able
to allow some flexibility when you have situations that, you know, the child obviously
Speaker 140
43:44
is going to struggle to be in the classroom. Yeah. I do think, to represent Nazarenko's point, this bill is targeting certain students
that are dealing with certain levels of tragedy or loss in their lives. I do agree with your perspective that if we're going to make sure we're being comprehensive, we need to look at a more comprehensive approach. As we kind of navigate through this session and it's winding down, I do think there's opportunity as we're looking at preparing for the future of doing a more comprehensive, robust attendance bill that would help define what is excused, what is unexcused, what is
chronically absent. We don't really have a good statutory framework for that as a state, and then a lot of it's left up to local district policies for implementation. So there's opportunity there. I don't think we have enough time to really do the due diligence to get that in a posture to get across the finish line in this session, but would be happy to work with any member that's interested in saying, "How can we be a little bit more prescriptive or definitive on making sure we're taking care of all the students that need excused absences, all the
students that need additional support. How do we identify what chronic absenteeism, and then what do we do to make sure students aren't chronically absent? Because right now, if I was to ask you to go from district to district, and sometimes even school within school within a district, and says, how do you define if somebody's present or absent? It's going to be different, because some are going to be, if they're there for five minutes, that counts is a full day. Some may have to be there by lunch. Some may have to be there three periods out of six periods. So having some standard definitions of what determines present, what determines absence,
what determines excuse, what determines unexcused, I think there's opportunity. But I think if I was a support representative Nazarenko in his efforts, it's a start, right? Like, so he's at least trying to put some pieces in place to make sure we're doing our due diligence and care.
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
45:47
My very last question i'm sorry um would you be willing to to make this a broader discussion and put this into interim study and come up with something that's
a little bit more um comprehensive to to help all of our children
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
46:03
what i would be willing to do is uh because this was a veteran focused bill
veteran you know veteran organization that presented this to me and asked me to run it i would i would rather run this but i would 100 supporting and working with you in interim or and the next one to, like, as Secretary Oliva said, more
than happy to do that and would love to help to do that as well. Are there additional questions? Representative Kozler,
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
46:32
you have a question? Kind of a question statement, but I'm trying to figure, I think your intent, what I see your intent is, is for people that serve our country, our states,
and are put in the line of fire each and every day is what you're trying to focus this on. And I don't disagree with Julie what she's trying to do. Those things do happen, and I think that's just a separate bill that would address another group or another amount of people that would need to hit. I love your bill. I think it's a great bill, and I know it's hard to always get everybody in that, but I think it's a good start, and I appreciate you, Bill.
Thank you. Wouldn't you agree? I would agree. Thank you. Are there additional questions about the committee? I know when it's signed up to speak for or against the bill Would anyone
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
47:29
like to speak for or against the bill? Seeing none, Representative Azarico, you're recognized Thank you, committee, and thank you, Chair So I will say, had I had
a little bit more I didn't know we were going to present today We were thinking it was going to be tomorrow Just looking at the calendar I did have a Gold Star spouse who was wanting to be here
That's Sherry Browley, you all have met her before She's a good friend of mine I brought her out to a Memorial Day ceremony in Mountain Home, Arkansas, where I spoke on the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu, where she lost her husband, Donovan Briley. And at the time, she had a young daughter, and Jordan has now children of her own. And so she, obviously, at the time that happened, Jordan
was so young that she would not have been affected by this, but she is affected by it still.
And that family is very involved with these programs, Snowball Express and things like that, as well as going back every year to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where our unit was at, the 160th Special Operations, because every year bringing those folks back together
with our community, it's meaningful to them. And I know that Sherry would have loved to have been here today, and so would a few of others. But unfortunately, they're not able to make it. But I would appreciate a good vote on this. I do make a motion of do pass, and I present it to the building for a good vote.
Thank you. I'm closed. Representative Nazareneko has closed for his bill. He's made a motion to do pass. Is there discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? No. Congratulations,
Representative Nazareneko. You've passed your bill. Thank you, Chair of the Committee. Uh, members, without objection, I'm going to go to, uh, Senate Bill 303, uh, Senator Dees. You're recognized.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
49:19
Thank you, Mr. Chair. State Senator Tyler Dees, District 35. And, uh, members, uh, and, and Chairman, if, if I may ask for,
Speaker 19
49:31
uh, Mr. Greg, um, Rogers, thank you. sorry, blank there, for a moment to join me at the table. Mr. Rogers, if
you would, please. Mr. Rogers. Greg, if you would, please. If you would, please introduce yourself for the record. You're the more famous Mr. Rogers, frankly. Introduce yourself for the record, and you're recognized. Greg Rogers, Department of Education.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
49:51
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, committee. So Senate Bill 303, we presented a few weeks back, and I'm happy to kind of go through the highlights of it as well as a refresher, But I also wanted to spend some time to talk through the fiscal impact. That's why I've got Mr. Rogers here as well to be able to address that. But what this bill does is, especially in my district constituents, we've got really a handful of students. I believe this impacts across the state, small scale. But what we've got is homeschooled students who have been designated homeschooled and in a universal learns environment starting next year
will be enrolled into a private school even if it's a small scale private school and when that happens when we work with the triple a that designation allows them not to be able to participate in triple a activities anymore so they can't go be in band they can't go be in the choir can't play baseball and so it's kind of this little nuanced segment there and so we've worked with the triple a from the beginning on this we've got high agreement and what we're trying to do is allow a situation for these small numbers of students where they can choose to go where
they want to go to school. And if that school doesn't have AAA activities, they're smaller in nature, then they would have the ability to go to the local public school and still participate in those activities. And so with that transition, we want to make sure that the funding is correct. And so that's where we've made sure the working is correct so that the 1-6 foundation of funding follows the student to the public school so they can cover their facilities and insurance and everything. And so that's really what this is about. It's a land of opportunity bill. It's school
choice bill empowering parents to be able to send their child where they'd like to go. And we know data tells us that the ability to be able to participate in activities helps the overall well nature of the student. And so that's what the bill does. And so talking to the, when we talk to AAA, we've got high agreement. When we talk to superintendents, we've got high agreement. They actually love the idea to be able to have these students on campus. And so just by nature, these families have made a decision to go to a different school, but here's a chance where those students
can, they can engage with them back on the public schools in a positive way. So we've got high agreement in lots of areas on this. And so to the fiscal impact, and I think that's why we held to come back today. So the fiscal impact, what it's saying is it's about a $700,000 number. However, and I'll ask Mr. Rogers to speak to that in a second, but the formula was taking all of the students, kind of in the worst case scenario, all the students that might participate in this
and saying that if they do not sign up for an EFA account, if every single one of them don't, and every single one of them want to pay full tuition and go to a private school, and every single one of them choose a school that doesn't have AAA activities, and every single one of them want to participate in band and choir and baseball or whatever at a local public school, if all those ifs happen, then this is the fiscal impact. And so I think it's clear that that's probably most likely not going
to happen, and it's a handful of students.
But Mr. Rogers, would you describe maybe kind of how the fiscal impact came about?
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
53:16
So, yeah, as Senator was saying, that we have to consider the worst-case scenario on this. And there would be a lot of dominoes that had to fall before we even got close to reaching that $700,000. Because right now, as it is, if they did have the EFA, they would have to pay out of that EFA to go to the school. If they're already at a private school that offers that athletic, they can't go to the athletic. So we were really looking for just – and we had to take the number of private school kids that we know
and just take a percentage of that and try to come up with a physical impact. And since we have to go through all that, we have to make sure that we are looking at the worst-case scenario. We have to look at all the what-ifs. But we don't believe it will be the $700,000, but that is what the math says. So I have to show that on the physical impact because that is the worst-case
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
54:04
scenario. And we can pause there and take any questions, Mr.
Chair, however you'd like to proceed. Representative Garner, you're recognized for a question.
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
54:12
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Remind me about the class situation. If it's an activity
after school, they don't have to take an academic class. If it does happen, remind me how
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
54:26
that works. Sure, so you're exactly right. You're on the right train of thought. So some activities are a designated class in the normal class schedule. Usually kind of the larger activities, basketball, band, those are a class period. And so the student wouldn't have to enroll into another class.
That is considered a class. If they participate in an activity that's not a class, I'll make something up. I'm not sure on this, but debate. And it may be an after-school activity or a club. Then they would have to enroll into an additional class. And that's related to insurance coverage and being an official student on campus. And so that's in the bill. That's required. Okay, so just one class
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
55:08
counts as insurance. for the school yes thanks yeah represent painter you're recognized for question thank you mr chair
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
55:20
um so let's just say that band is is full does the the school have to kick somebody out else out
Speaker 183
55:26
for allowing this individual to come on great question and thank you
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
55:31
for reminding me on that this this entire bill is permissive language so if the school district has any concern if they have a concern with the student it could be a disciplinary issue if they have a concern with with overcrowding if they have a concern whatsoever they have full rights and privileges to deny this this opportunity
it's permissive language for the local school district it
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
55:55
just outside of that language they can just deny because they don't have any room not because maybe the student has some issues or whatever they could just say look
we're not going to allow this correct okay Okay. Are there
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
56:13
additional questions by the committee? Representative Gonzales-Werr, I think you're recognized for a question. Yes. Could you just, in a nutshell, explain the last paragraph in the bill, lines of, it's on page two, lines 27 through 35.
Okay. Yes. Yes, ma'am. This is,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
56:30
this is what Representative Gardner was referring to. So when working with the AAA, this was an amendment that we wanted to make sure. This has to do with the foundational funding, but also about the insurance. So if it makes sure that the example I would provide is that if a student wanted to participate in debate at the local public school, and debate club, debate class is not an official class, it's not in the regular scheduled block scheduling or the class schedule,
then they can still participate, but they would still have to enroll into a class period. So they would have to take an additional class if they want to participate because that's what triggers insurance
coverage for that student and the details. Does that make sense, what I'm saying? Yes, thank you. Are there additional questions? Representative
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
57:24
Garner. Yes, I'm sorry. One more question. What about fees? So if they
take an art class that the school is providing, the art supplies,
then does that student pay for those
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
57:39
things? How does the fee work? Absolutely. Everything that would apply to a regular enrolled public school student would apply to a private school student in this situation. So if they have additional fees, they've got to pay them out of pocket, just like any other student would. And I would also add, too, a lot of these, the one reason for the rarity of how this impacts only a few students is they still have to make the teams and try out just like you'd have to try out any other team or earn their spot or whatever.
So that's why there's really little impact. And so you don't see a lot of kids saying, well, I want to go be on the basketball team if they can't make the basketball team, right? It's the same situation. Coaches still have the authority. The art teachers
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
58:22
still have the authority on the same situations. And I guess I'm not talking about the extra fees. I'm talking about what would be supplied to the student as part of their public school. Yes. That's why the foundational funding follows the student. So all
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
58:34
of that will go? Yes, the 1-6 foundational funding, yes.
1-6. And that would cover everything from fees to facility charges to teachers to insurance, all those things. Seeing no additional
questions, we do not have anyone sign up to speak for or against this bill. Would anyone like to speak for against the bill? Seeing none, Senator
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
59:02
your bill? Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, members. I love the idea of helping these few students participate in these activities. This
really just gives a chance for these kids to engage in band, choir, baseball.
In fact, band and choir are some of the highest numbers that this impacts. Average across the districts is about two students per district. That's what we're talking about. There's about two students on average across all districts that were homeschool students that participated in activities. And so we know it's not a large-scale impact, but to those few
kids, we know it matters. We want to make sure we give opportunities to those families and those kids. So with that, I would appreciate a good vote. Senator Dees is closed for his bill.
Is there a motion on the table? We have a motion to do pass. Is there a discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Congratulations, Senator Dees. You've passed your bill. Thank you, members. Thank you, committee. Bless you. Representative Vaught, you
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:00:11
are recognized, and I'll let you tell us what you're presenting. If you would, please introduce yourself
for the record. Dan Vaught, District 87. If we can go to House Bill 1806, Mr. Gregg did another fiscal impact on the bill,
and I understand the bill is to zero now. Representative, do
you have an amendment on this? Oh, yes. I'm so sorry. And I believe that we need a motion to expunge the previous amendment that was adopted. I can make that motion. We have a motion to expunge the amendment. a discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Congratulations. You've expunged the amendment. Now, Representative Vaught, you are recognized to present the new
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:00:54
amendment on 1806. Thank you. On page 2, line 5, we're deleting materials
and substituting materials if funding is available. On page 3, line 10, we're deleting 2026 and we're substituting 2026 if funding is available. And that's how we got it to a zero balance or impact. I'm sorry, sir. Are there
questions on the amendment? Representative Garner, do you have
a question? No, sorry. Seeing no questions, we have a motion to adopt the amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. All
opposed. Congratulations. You adopted the amendment. Now you're recognized to present 1806 as
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:01:36
amended. It's a bill that I ran the other day. We passed it out of here. There was some questions on the bill. We knew with the impact on the bill that we would try to get it to a zero fiscal so that we could get it passed through the – but we've already passed this bill out of here. And due for time, I
know there's a lot going on, sir.
I'll close it like that. Are there questions for Representative Vaught? Seeing no questions, we do not have anyone sign up to speak for or against this bill. You said you were closed for the bill? Yes, sir. What's the will of the committee? We have a motion to pass as amended. Is there a discussion
on that motion? Vice Chair McKenzie, you're recognized. I don't mean to make discussion to slow us down.
I do have concerns, and we've talked
about this. I'll just have my concerns be mine, but I am concerned that we're writing a specific vendor into code. We shot down a really good school safety bill regarding panic buttons because it was ostensibly going to write a vendor into code. We've done that in the past. It causes problems. It causes problems not only because it ties the hands of our districts, but we also have to come back here year on year and unwind the problems we've written. So with that, I'll be enough.
Is there additional discussion on that motion? Seeing no additional discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? No. Congratulations to Representative Vaught. Your bill is
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:03:15
passed as amended. All right. And then the other one is House Bill. Somehow I lost my paper. I'm sorry, sir. It's the very first one on the agenda. That's mine. 1719. Yes, 1719. Thank you, sir.
DMVOT, District 87. You're recognized. Thank you. After listening to concerns about the extra weeks, that kind of bothered me too. So I thought the best thing I could do is try to fix it a different way. I sat down with Representative Barker, and we thought that on line 30 through 33, that would be the best way to address what's going on. And it would say that if you're out for that two weeks of Christmas, it's not paid for normally.
It's not a paid day, contract day. That would actually count as their maternity leave, which is what they're already doing. But they would be paid for that, those two weeks, instead of not getting paid and having it count against them. So it's not extending weeks. It's just for days that were not contract days that are within the contract. Because Representative Walker and I talked about this, within the actual contract days, that that's where they would get the, so if they have a baby at the end of May,
the summer is their leave, and they don't get more leave when they come back. I hope I did a good job. You did. Are
Speaker 55
1:04:51
there any questions from committee? Seeing none, no one
is signed up to speak for or against the bill. Anyone wishes to speak for or against the bill? Representative, are you closed for your
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:05:02
bill? I'm closed. and make a motion do pass.
We have a motion do pass. Discussion? I'll make discussion. I appreciate, remember I was one of the ones who had problems with it.
HR is a function no one wants to hire, but we hire them because this stuff isn't easy. You've done the right thing and we've aligned it so that it's not going to be in conflict. So I appreciate it. I'll be okay.
Speaker 212
1:05:27
Thank you. Any other discussion on the motion? All
those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you, committee. Thank you,
sir. Thank you, Representative Vaught. Now, members without objection, we're going to recognize Vice Chair McKenzie to
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:05:45
present House Bill 1874. Someone left an iPad down here. Britt McKenzie,
Rogers, Arkansas, State Representative. Chairman, with your permission, I'd like to
have representatives from ADE come to the table.
Yes, Secretary Oliva, Ms. Salas-Ford, or whomever would like to join, if you would please introduce yourself, and you're recognized.
Jacob Oliva, Department of Education. Ladies and gentlemen of the committee, I'm happy to bring to you today House Bill 1874. So this is one of the unique committees of the House in that we don't just meet for these three months,
these 90 days, and then kind of turn into a pile of soot. We spend painstaking time in the interim going over the adequacy process. As part of that, we have to look at, you know, the three main buckets in which we send money to our districts on a per-pupil basis. One of those buckets is our supplemental bucket. And for a long time, we've always, and I know probably everyone in this committee has been asked by someone in their community or another legislator, we know we need to increase X. This is a portion of money that we moved out of adequacy that I think needs to embolden the big bet that we have made
and the reforms that we have put forward to help student performance. Initially, this came as a bill that I filed at the beginning of session, and with a lot of conversation, worked with the secretary and his team to make sure this is the best bill for students. So with that, I'd be happy to let you explain
Speaker 138
1:07:14
some more if you'd like. So, thank you. We had a categorical on our budget to support school districts with professional learning, which
Speaker 140
1:07:21
I think everybody in this committee would agree that any time we can invest in
our educators, we want to make sure we're giving them an opportunity to hone their craft and be better prepared to support the students that they serve. In the categorical for the budget, there's about a $35 or $36 million appropriation that gets allocated to school districts to support professional learning. About half of that pot, just a little bit over half that pot, goes to the districts on a per student allocation. So basically, we take the pot of money, divide it up by the number of students, and the school
district receives that amount of dollars to do the professional development. A lot of professional development is required by codes, whereas teachers have to annually do mandatory reporting professional development, or blood-borne pathogens, or just things that they need to do to make sure that they're current up to speed. But then the school districts have some authority to use data, to make data-informed decisions, look at investing in professional development that works best for their districts. About sixteen and a half million dollars historically had been earmarked for the implementation
of professional learning communities. In this past year, as we went through the bid process to get professional learning communities, we actually kind of changed and didn't go with one vendor to provide those services. We put out a request for proposals and had about 17 different vendors respond, saying that they want to be able to implement and support districts with the professional learning community's process. So we were able to allocate additional dollars to districts, and then districts wrote professional
development plans based on their data that worked best for them. So what we're proposing, or what the change in the language is before the committee to consider today is codifying the practice I guess that we've implemented this past year because we weren't able to secure one provider to provide all these services and really move it towards supporting districts with learns implementation and that could be helping support students with acceleration, making sure there's more expanded opportunities, training and
advanced coursework, supporting their early learning environments, looking at increasing literacy scores or numeracy scores, but basically the priorities that we've outlined as a legislator and signed into law, helping districts support implementation of that. So that's what the recommendation before you is today. And then just two
additional things to add. So this is companion to the funding bill that the chairman will bring through that we have to vote on to cement adequacy in the rates that we fund at the different categorical, supplemental, and per-people level.
The second part is kind of a dovetail off of what I just got done talking about on the dais up there, is that the secretary and his team have done Yeoman's work to work, in my opinion, and this is probably not appropriate to say, in contradiction with the law states. Professional learning communities is a copywritten term that a specific company gets to use. And they have done the best they can to make sure that those monies aren't in a lockbox and they're getting directly to the districts to implement the critical needs that we have for literacy and for numeracy.
What this does, and we say it all the time down here, this comes and allows the agency to do what they're already doing. And I'm, you know, beyond being a 10th Amendment guy, I'm pretty specific to, I like that our code reflects exactly the will of the legislature, thus the will of the people. The way it's currently written, even if we don't pass this bill, which I don't think there's gonna be much conflict. I think everybody that's been around long enough knows that there needs to be some reform to the way that we adequately supplement and then fund out categorically professional development,
that the way it's currently written, it does not benefit students. It does not benefit districts. It ties the hands of our agency, and it leaves us as legislators kind of scratching our heads about
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:11:28
how we can make this better. So with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. Representative Gonzales-Werlin, you recognize for a question? Yes. I want to understand the money part. So $16 million has been allotted in the past $16,500,000 for professional development.
So that will remain. That money will remain for professional development, but it would with $41 per student. But if teachers wouldn't be allowed to use SolutionsTree, their work with professional learning communities. I'm just trying to, I've got two questions,
and that's the first one. Yeah, so why it struck through
in the bill and not rewritten to a different number
is from what I've gathered and I've worked with ADE, that was a belt and suspenders approach. We, the $16.5 million is in our adequacy recommendation that the chairman's going to run through. So what it does is strike through the specific dollar amount, and it says, set at the maximum of, I believe, that's the enacting language. So we don't have to go back and write that amount. This isn't specific to Solution Tree, and I wasn't going to say that out loud, but it is specific to what we had previously put into code. Only in specifically conscripting that company to fulfill the needs of our professional development.
So they can go through the RFP process as ADE goes through and thinks about the way to reinvent the wheel after a little notice the last time that they set out an RFP. They can still be a part of the process.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:13:08
they can still come in and compete and win bids. Okay. A follow-up question? Okay. And so the second part is when it comes to professional learning communities, that's a broad educational term, and it's -- we use professional learning communities in our program at the university, and it was not -- it does not -- some of the components mirror what
a good professional learning community would look like, but it was not -- we didn't receive that from, you know, this particular vendor. So I just -- Correct. So wouldn't you agree that professional learning communities, it's broad, and you may have vendors that just tie into that specific, but there's many types of ways to implement professional learning communities in the system. Totally agree. It's like the ubiquity of a lot
of words we use. Like when you go through a drive-through, what's the word you want for a caramelized
soda? A Coke. That's the name brand. So professional learning community, albeit it is a ubiquitous term that's seeped into everything. And you're right. And I've met with PLC captains, all of them in my district. It means more than just the module or the widget that you have to sit down behind a computer and do. And then the train the trainers part, it is a ubiquitous term that means everything. The U.S. Patent Trade Office doesn't agree. That is a term that is copywritten and trademarked by one specific company. So albeit I get it, the ubiquity of the word is there.
I like to read the law. I like to write specific law, hand it to these guys to go execute that specific law. Um, the way they read it also, there's been some conflict. This would take that out. It would embolden them to continue the practice that they've been doing, um, and we can feel really good and put our head on the pillow tonight, feeling pretty good about us passing bills that don't specifically target one vendor for the state of Arkansas. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Are there additional questions on the
committee? We do not have anyone who signed up to speak for or against the bill. Representative McKenzie, would you like to close your bill?
I'm closed. Committee, I know this. Thank you, Secretary. We've got a lot coming fast. I think this is really good for the state of Arkansas. It's going to help our students and their performance. It's going to help our students and performance. It's going to help our students and
their performance. So I'd appreciate a good vote. I make a motion. Do pass. Vice Chair McKenzie is closed for his bill with motion. Do pass. Is there a discussion on that motion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Congratulations, Vice Chair. You've passed your bill. Members, without objection, I'm going to yield the chair to Vice Chair McKenzie and present a couple bills, starting with HB 1312.
I've been told by committee staff there is an amendment. Sorry,
yes, there is. So House Bill 1312 is what I'll be, Keith Brooks, state representative district 78, we look in the House Bill 1312, which is the House version of the adequacy bill. And
I just heard a motion to adopt. And I'll explain it real quick, if
you don't mind. Mr. Vice Chair, thank you for your desire to move forward.
That's very admirable. So the amendment strictly is striking Section 6 in the existing adequacy bill. The only difference there is that is what is dealing with PLCs, which Representative McKenzie just passed a bill out relative to that, which gives the department the flexibility to utilize those funds. That was currently in the statute, and so we're just striking that from the statute. So I make a motion to adopt. I'm
having a motion to adopt on the table. Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor say aye. Aye.
All opposed? Congratulations. You may present your bill as amended. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am going to ask for Greg Rogers from the department to join me at the
table, should he want to. He thought he was going to sneak away. Greg Rogers, Department of Education. You recognize him. So just a plug for Mr. Rogers. If you guys have not had the chance to understand math wizardry, then this guy is the one who does it.
He puts in more time on the adequacy bill than just about anybody, save our amazing partners over at BLR, Julie Holtz and Lori and the other folks. So the adequacy process, as you know,
is a very long and thorough, detailed process. Many of you were here for the many months we came at the end of October with a recommendation to increase funding, the highest we've ever increased it. We also looked at a number of ways to continue to support our public schools, which is our mission within this committee and the state legislature,
to make sure that we are focusing on the students first and foremost. So this bill originally reflected the recommendations that we made as a committee. We have had a couple modifications which are reflected within this amended bill. So the modifications are year one, it remains the same. It takes our per pupil funding to $8,162. Currently, it's $7,771. So that represents an increase of roughly 5%. So it leaves the funding the same.
Year two, we do decrease the funding. Please let this be heard very loud and clear. We are not decreasing funding to public schools. What we are doing is, in year two, we are removing health insurance. So currently, health insurance is paid as a part of the adequacy process. It's paid to the schools who then turn around and pay EBD for it. So it's a direct pass-through. What we've heard from many schools, and I've consulted with a large number of them, is that the process of paying for health insurance is, frankly, a very burdensome one from an administrative standpoint.
And so there's been discussion for a number of years of how do we address that. So in year two of adequacy, we are pulling health insurance out. And you see that within the bill. It clarifies the dollars. It clarifies how we're doing that. We're pulling that out of the adequacy process. And we are paying for that directly. The department will be paying for health insurance directly to EBD. So it reflects a move from $8,162 per pupil to $8037 in year two of the adequacy process. However, again, we're not decreasing funding per pupil.
We're just removing the health insurance out of it. So those are the primary functions, the primary details of the adequacy bill. We also are dealing with teacher salary equalization, which has been discussed in the process for a number of years of phasing that out. We have discussed very openly a three-year phase out of teacher salary equalization because of the increase in LEARN funding to bring teachers up to $50,000 minimum. And so this just states the plan for doing that, which is year one at 185, year two at 100, and year three at 50.
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:20:04
And with that, I'd be happy to take any questions. Representative Meeks, you recognize for a question? Thank you. Sounds
like a good government efficiency bill. Any potential savings that would come from kind of doing away with the schools being the middleman
there? I'll let Mr. Rogers opine on that. I think just a base answer would be yes.
Again, just in discussion with a number of schools, particularly some fairly large ones, I think from the school's perspective, they certainly would see savings of efficiencies
because there's a lot of administrative challenges to how we've always
done this. And so this is certainly freeing up them, but I'll let Greg address that as well. Yes, it should
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
1:20:46
make it easier to process because, as you said earlier, the insurance thing has been a big problem. And we already have a line item in the public school fund that we currently send $140 million over to EBD. So this will just be taking that money that we're not going to be sending to the districts anymore and just put in that line item to help offset the cost of increasing health insurance.
So, yes, at the end result, we absolutely hope it
will be. any other questions from committee representative walker you're recognized yeah
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
1:21:16
just real quick on the teacher salary equalization fund with the phase out do we know what kind of impact that's going to have on our small rural schools so it's not actually a phase
out that we're doing we're phasing out the equalization but that funding is going to that 60 million dollars over the next three years is going to be transferred over to the learned salary that we already give out to get up to the $50,000. We're going to move that from that bucket to that
bucket. So there's not going to be any changes in that, just where it's paid
from. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Any other questions from committee? No one signed up to speak for or
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:22:00
against the bill. Pardon? Oh, I'm sorry. Representative McGruder, you recognize for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the work that's been done on this bill. I do have a question in regards to the professional development money being shifted over. I know we just had a bill that come before us in regards to
the $41 a day, so how is that going to affect that aspect of it? So
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
1:22:21
the adequacy recommendation for the $41 is still there. They were talking about that $16.5 million that was above that professional development money. In that line item for adequacy. There's the $41 for professional development that is still going to be there. It's still going to go to the schools. Okay. So
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:22:37
they still won't have the monies for professional development in place. Yes. Okay. Thank
you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. No worries. Again, no one signed
up to speak for or against the bill. Anyone would like to speak for or against the bill? Seeing none,
Chairman, you're closed. Recognize the close for your
bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I want to just compliment this committee as well as the Senate committee. Again, the adequacy process is very long and drawn out one and i will encourage especially new members of this committee as we move into the interim and we start looking at things like how do we modernize our funding approach representative cozart has done a lot of work is going to continue to do a lot more work on that as we move forward but just a reminder that this will be a very busy time as we move out of
session for us to continue to keep our commitment to
our public schools which is to fund them and to prioritize what they do and again i think that this bill reflects the strongest commitment that we have made and continue to make as a legislative body uh to support our schools and to support our students and with that i make a motion do pass we have a motion do pass as amended oh sorry thank
you uh we have a motion do pass as amended on the table um is there any discussion on the motion seeing none uh all those in favor say aye all those opposed congratulations you passed your
bill thank you mr chair thank you committee uh mr chair now with uh your uh discretion i'm going to move to uh sb90 yep absolutely there is
an amendment um and actually while we wait for that amendment um i believe we have a representative from the university of arkansas here um ladies and gentlemen of the committee we have joining us uh miss izzy higginbotham did i get that correct um izzy is a member of our lady razorback team in
Fayetteville she she's joining us here today for a myriad of reasons but we have in us and amongst us the equivalent of Michael the Michael Jordan of Lady Razorback basketball this last year she was named AP all-american honorable mention and then just a few days ago she scored six points in the women's college all-star game so would everyone help me join uh give her a warm Little Rock welcome
sorry chairman i just got that one in and um she's also an arkansas native from uh batesville so go pirates
so thank you for coming today appreciate you Thank you, Izzy, for being here, and
thanks for recognizing her, Mr. Chairman. That's outstanding. Okay, members, so you're receiving the amendment. The amendment is basically just providing some clarifying language relative to the process for school
board comment periods, and with that, I make a motion of adoption of the amendment.
We have a motion to adopt the amendment on the table. Does anyone like to speak? Is there any discussion on the motion?
Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. All
those opposed? Congratulations. You're now able to present your bill as amended. Members, thank you. So Senate Bill 90 as amended really is,
frankly, a very simple bill. It's a good government transparency bill. We all know that the closest government to the people is generally the most effective one. And I know a lot of folks on this committee have been very involved in school boards in the past.
This is simply allowing the community and the stakeholders of the community to be involved in the comment period or to have a comment period for school boards. I know that we have a number of school boards, frankly, who do it very well, who have a very structured and identified comment period. However, we have a number who don't, and that oftentimes serves to ignore some of the will of the community, especially parents and students. And so the details of this bill are very, very simple.
It is just requiring that prior to consideration of any business or executive session of the board of directors, that a member of the public should be afforded the opportunity to give public comment on any matter that's before the school board, that's within the powers and duties of the school board. There are some clarifications relative to who those people can be. It has to reside within the public school district. It has to be a parent, legal guardian, or a person standing local parentis of a student enrolled in the district, or it can be someone that's employed by the district. It's also putting limits on the people who are commenting,
saying that they can't make comment that prejudices the board of directors concerning a student or personnel matter that's before the board of directors. Also allowing that the board of directors must put out a sign-in sheet and then allow three minutes, a minimum of three minutes. And there are timeframes within the legislation that if the public comment period exceeds 30 minutes, they can move those comment matters on down the agenda to a later time to allow them to be able to conduct the business of the school board.
So bottom line on this, and I think you'll hear from testimony from folks who are signed up to speak for this bill, is that allowing public comments or ensuring that our school boards take the time to hear from their community, to hear from parents, is a very positive thing for the local community and for the school board. And frankly, in a number of situations, would have saved the school district money and would have saved a lot of challenging situations. You heard from Eli and Cash's moms last week.
They did not have the opportunity to address their school board. However, if they had, there's a good chance that some situations could have been prevented. And so that's the goal of this bill, is to have a good government transparency bill for the local government, for our school boards. And with that, I'd be happy
Speaker 163
1:28:13
to answer any questions. Are there any questions from committee? Seeing none. Anyone
signed up? No one has signed up to speak for or against the bill? I do
believe we have a couple people who are signed up to speak for the bill.
I stand corrected. Audie, how do you pronounce your last name? Allenbaugh, you're recognized. If you wouldn't mind
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:28:51
just saying your name into the mic for the record.
Speaker 244
1:28:56
Audie Allenbaugh. Thank you. Mr. Chair and Education Committee members, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. Today I come to you with the tale of two districts that refuse to let the patrons speak.
In the fall of 2019, I received a phone call from a parent in a rural district in Arkansas to tell me that a handicapped parking space that she had used for years to park in to help her daughter with severe cerebral palsy exit the vehicle and with her walker had been removed by school administration for no reason. Now the child would have to walk an additional 100 yards on a sidewalk that had such cracks that a fall and injury to both child and parent occurred. Upon close inspection to the facility, we found that almost the entire campus was out of compliance with Act 504,
not to mention the fact that the child had been denied a free and appropriate public education academically. We filed a due process complaint. We prevailed. However, the superintendent would not bend. We filed another due process, and we prevailed, but the superintendent still would not bend. We ended up having to file a federal lawsuit, and the school board knew nothing about any of this. Had the parent been able to discuss with the school board, it would have been remedied. around a year and a half after the initial filing of the due process someone told the president of the school board that he should reach out to me. Now I was raised near the school district so several people who knew me gave him my phone number. His first statement was Ms. Audie our superintendent
says we don't have a federal lawsuit but I understand we may have been lied to. Can you tell me? So I told him the truth. Shortly after that we were able to remedy the situation and settle all the lawsuits as well as get the environment suitable for a child with severe with this severe handicapping condition, but only after acquiring around $300,000 in legal fees, not to mention facilities corrections that had to be made. A denial of a three-minute message to the board cost the district a minimum of $300,000. Now, that may be a pretty good rate for an attorney, but not for a school, kids, and families. The law you're voting on today can change that moving
forward. The second instance I want to speak is about the Quitman case you heard the other day about the locker room abuse. The parent was denied an opportunity to speak to the local board and to this day, I'm not sure the board knows about the depth of the abuse, but I am sure that they would have known if the parent would have been allowed to speak. I want to encourage you to vote for this bill. Thank you for
your time. Are there any questions from committee? Thank you for your testimony. Next, we have Ms. Courtney Roldan. If you don't mind just introducing yourself for the
Speaker 248
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record, you'll be recognized. My name is Courtney Roldan, and I do work for Conduit News, but today I am here to speak as a parent of two public school kids. Since my oldest started kindergarten, I have been involved in the local schools, volunteering, serving in various PTO positions, and substituting for five years. Through this experience, I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be for parents to have their concerns addressed.
Many parents follow the proper channels, emailing, calling, and meeting with administrators, only to feel ignored or dismissed. In some cases, it wasn't until these issues were taken to social media and gained public attention that action was finally taken. Meetings were suddenly scheduled and problems were addressed. I am not here to advocate for taking concerns to social media, but it is clear that public scrutiny often forces action when private efforts fail.
From my experience, most parents who speak at school board meetings do so as a last resort. They don't want to publicly share their children's struggles, but they feel unheard and left with no options. Unlike the legislative process where a bill must pass multiple votes, school board policies are often decided in a single meeting with little to no input by those that are affected most. In my district, parents must submit a four-page questionnaire at least five days prior to a school board meeting just to request the opportunity to speak.
Even then, there is no guarantee they will be allowed to address the board, and the deadline follows before the meeting agenda is even released, so there is no chance to ever speak on any agenda items. People often say, if you don't like how your school board operates, run for office. In 2022, I took that advice, but the reality is that challenging a published or established system is far more difficult than it sounds,
especially when board members come from well-connected families and have political alliances that give them an advantage. This imbalance of power makes it even more important for parents to have a voice in their children's education. Most of us don't attend school board meetings to cause trouble. We show up because our children's future is at stake and we refuse to be ignored. So please vote yes on SB 90. Thank you for your testimony. Next we
have a Miss Missy Bosh? Once you get to the table, just introduce yourself
Speaker 250
1:34:18
and you may be recognized. Thank you, Missy Bosh. I've been fighting this along with Courtney Roldan for quite a few years. We want to thank you for hearing from us, the constituents, but it's probably kind of weird that we're asking for public speech to our elected officials right now when we can't do that at the school boards. Out of all the elected officials who are on who are elected onto a board in Arkansas, public school boards are the only ones
that do not have to hear from their constituents. We give them more than 50% of our taxes, and ironically, they're the only elected board that oversee the largest amount of minors as opposed to all the other boards who oversee adults. Yet those guardians of those minors are not allowed in any capacity to speak up for their children to the people that they elected. Yes, there is a chain of command that parents go through, but what happens when we get to the top, the superintendent, and we're stonewalled? there's nothing that we can do. And why is it when parents finally had enough of that stonewalling that we have to spend our personal dollars to sue the school just to be heard and to try to get
problems solved? Airing our grievance is a First Amendment right, and we should be able to do that at school boards. I think many of the issues and problems discussed in these hearings would have been solved a long time ago if parents actually had the right to discuss with their elected officials what was being taught, how their children are educated, and the policies that are taking place in schools. As of now, only a few schools allow unrestricted comments. Some make you fill out pre-screened forms about what you want to talk about and can deny you, and the rest don't allow any comment at all. Parents just want their kids to be educated. As of now, education is not
happening in our schools, but over the past few weeks, what I've discovered is that superintendents have zero oversight and how they're allowed to run the school district without ever revealing problems happening to the board. The only time they have to actually ask the board for anything is when they want to be co-signers or sign for a loan. Many boards are trained by the ASBA which is run by previous superintendents so they train them on what they want them to know and not what the law requires them. I recently watched footage from a school board meeting in Arkansas where the elected board member publicly stated they have no authority to hire fire district employees except
the superintendent. That is not just a misunderstanding that is a systematic failure of what boards know, and what the law requires of them. When parents see things that go wrong, they just want it to be corrected, but that's not what is happening. Did you know that the superintendents have lawyers on retainer, and they use them to silence parents? And before spending all of our tax dollars on lawyers, why are they not made to request permission from the school board or ask them how to solve the problems? A couple of lawsuits were just finalized in Cabot,
and when I spoke to the parents of those lawsuits, All they wanted was the administration to say sorry and to correct the problem. But instead, they spent over $300,000. I had to go to court against Cabot as well just because I asked for them to do the right thing on a trespass that they put on me with no reasoning. They spent $60,000 just to turn around and drop the trespass, and that's all I wanted in the first place. School boards don't even know how the money is being spent.
They're not given all the financials, and the audits that happen are selective. And yet these multimillion-dollar agencies still can't do the one mission that they're paid to do, and that is to teach our kids how to read, write, and to do the math. Parents just want to know what is happening with our kids. That's all we've asked to do. Why are we not allowed to speak at those school boards or bring things to attention that the superintendent ignores? We can bring up institutional problems. At this point, other parents would hear the problems that are happening with other parents.
Self-contained classrooms have problems, abuse is happening in ALEs, but nothing is happening. And so policies could finally change if parents could just speak publicly because those audio and video are released. So if a parent can't be there, they could hear what other parents have to say. And once we see that there are policies that need to change, we could go to the State Board of Education and even to our representatives to get those changed. So I just ask that you support SB90. Thank you.
All right. Any questions from committee? All right. Thank you for your testimony.
Speaker 252
1:38:38
Next, we have Ms. Kim Letty, Leady. Once you get to the table, just introduce
yourself and you may be recognized. Hello. How are y'all? I'm
Speaker 254
1:38:54
Kimberly Leady. School board meetings are the front lines of the most meaningful part of local government, the education of our children. These are not my words, but the words of Judge Brick Grant just five months ago
when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down school board policies that attempted to restrict public comment. The court recognized a fundamental truth we seem to have forgotten. While no one can argue that the right to speak is unlimited, neither is the government's authority to restrict it. In a state whose motto proudly proclaims the people rule, Arkansas faces a sad reality. We, the people, are having to fight for our basic right to be heard by our schools. That's why I'm here today in support of Senate Bill 90. This bill restores
the people's right to speak to their elected school board officials while protecting the integrity of public meetings. It's not about creating chaos. It's about ensuring that those in power answer to the people who put them there. Transparency and accountability aren't threats. They're the tools that build trust and enable us to create the kind of schools where everyone, students, parents, educators, and communities can thrive. When Arkansas passed the Parent and Family Engagement Plan 6-15-1702,
they recognized parents as full partners in education, not silent partners, but full partners. Yet school districts across the state have done the bare minimum to comply. I'm not sure why these districts are so afraid of allowing parents and citizens to address them, but I can tell you what I'm afraid of. I'm afraid of a system full of elected officials and school administrators being allowed to continue to silence the voices of their full partners without any oversight or accountability.
I have deep respect for the men and women who serve our school boards and as superintendents. These are public servants who have committed to shaping the future of our children, but with that commitment comes a fundamental responsibility. When they choose to lead, they also choose to be accountable to the parents who trust them with their children's futures and the taxpayers who fund our schools. That accountability isn't a burden. It's the very heart of public service. It means being willing to listen, to engage, and to remember that they
serve not just a system, but our community's most precious promise, our children. When you shut parents and community members out of board meetings, they don't simply disappear. They take to social media, sharing frustrations with thousands instead of having meaningful discussions in proper forums. Then schools rush to damage control, often appearing like institutional bullies trying to discredit concerned parents. The painful truth is simple. If schools invested in preventing problems by actually listening to their communities, they wouldn't need the damage
control. Schools have created a system of silence that has taken root in our state, where we have learned that speaking up means risking humiliation, retaliation, or being labeled a troublemaker. Fear has become our default. We've seen others publicly ridiculed or shut down so many times that staying quiet feels safer than challenging the system. The silence doesn't just harm adults. It teaches our children that authority is to be feared, not questioned, creating a generational cycle where those in power remain unchecked and unaccountable. Distinguished members of the
committee, your constitutional duty is crystal clear. The First Amendment wasn't designed to protect comfortable speech. It exists to protect the rights of the people to speak up when something is fundamentally wrong, to ensure that when systems fail, when institutions become deaf to the voices they're meant to serve, there's always a path to be heard. I implore you all to pass SB90 for the parents who've exhausted every other option. Pass it for the students who deserve to know their community is listening. Pass it because in Arkansas, we believe that when something is
important, we speak up, we show up, and we work together. That in Arkansas, the people do rule. Thank you so much. I appreciate you. Thank you for your testimony. Any questions from
committee? Seeing none, thank you. We have no one else signed up to speak for or against the bill. Chairman Brooks, you're recognized to close for your bill.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, committee, and thank everyone who came to speak. Again, the basics of this bill
really are nothing more than what we are doing right here,
which is having the opportunity to hear from our public. We don't limit the public in terms of time frame, which is, frankly, why this committee goes a long time, and I really appreciate that. I really appreciate the fact that we vet things very, very well, I think it's important for the closest to
our local communities, i.e. the school board, be able to do the same. And with that, I am closely will make a motion
to do pass. As amended. We have a motion to do pass
as amended on the table. Is there any discussion on the motion? Representative
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
1:43:59
Gardner, you're recognized. Thank you. I just want to
publicly say thank you for the amendments and for listening to my school board,
which is already doing all of these things, just to make it a little
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:44:14
bit better. So thank you. Representative Nazarenko, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Mr. Chairman, thank you
for bringing this, and thank Senator English as well. Luckily, I'm in a district where school boards are welcoming people. They understand that, as mentioned earlier by one of the witnesses, that our parents are a huge part of the education of their children. And so when we can encourage parents to be involved, the more we see people involved,
whether it's in school boards or whether it's in city council, the more invested they are, and that's what we want. We want parents invested into the education, so I think it's a great bill.
Thank you. Thank you. Any other discussion? We have a motion of do pass as a
minute on the table. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, congratulations, you've passed your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, committee. Mr. Chair, with your blessing, I'm going to run Senate Bill 470. So allowed.
Speaker 4
1:45:10
if the committee would give me the latitude to
pull it up real quick. All right, Keith Brooks, State Representative 78. Senate Bill
470 is by our former colleague, Senator Dotson. This is actually a pretty simple bill. So Senate Bill 470 is just dealing with online virtual assessments. So we currently have in statute the authority for students to do virtual assessments. However, there's a requirement that an adult be in the room.
Now, the current virtual assessment setup allows for the virtual proctor, which is an automated process, to have multiple cameras on the student. And so you already have the student being watched within the assessment process. Just currently, it's required that an adult also be in the room. This is just taking that requirement out, saying that in 9th through 12th grade, that an adult simply has to attest that all the rules were followed that doesn't change the proctoring process you still have cameras on the student who's taking taking the assessment uh and so it's still
known whether the student is doing it uh without cheating or not which is frankly all we're trying to accomplish here uh this just means that mom dad grandma grandpa aunt uncle whoever may be uh the the adult in charge does not have to physically be in the room at the time with that be happy to take any questions are there any questions from committee
seeing none no one has signed up to speak for against the bill does anyone wish to speak for against the
bill see none as well chairman brooks you're recognized to close for your bill i'm
close for bill make a motion do pass motion do pass on the table uh any discussion on
the motion seeing none all those in favor say aye all opposed congratulations you've passed your bill thank you mr chair thank you committee um being that the actual chair didn't give me a bill to go next. First person to text wins. Representative Nazarenko, Senate Bill 515. Thank
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:47:21
you, Mr. Chair. Representative Nazarenko, District 4, Marion County, parts of Baxter County. Today, I bring you
Senate Bill 515. You can see by this Senate bill, it's got a ton of great sponsors. This is one that everybody wanted to jump on, and once we're finished, you're probably going to wish that you jumped on as well. As you
know, I'm very passionate a lot of times about unfunded mandates. I'm also passionate about adding things on to teachers that we're trying to make them do more things, and we're not giving them any more time. We can only give them so much time in a day, but when we require more and more things, it becomes harder for them to provide those great reports for math,
English, reading, all those skills that we require for the students to learn. That's one of the things I love about this bill. There's a lot of things I love about this bill, but one of the main things I love about this bill is it's using the existing curriculum, which is out there, the existing time, and then it's bringing a unit of veterans and their family to be included with the existing Arkansas history. So to kind of explain that a little bit more in the way that Senator Petty talked about it in committee and then on the Senate floor, we've got a lot of veterans out here in Arkansas. Arkansas veterans, we know that they're all over. If you walk into
our treasury, we've got a wall of heroes, a wall of veterans. Each one of those veterans has a story. We're not talking about the
war story. We're not talking about the war or anything like that. We're talking about the veteran, their family, what they went
through, what they had to come through. So what this bill does is it allows us to use those stories and put them in front of the students so
that they can understand what veterans and their families had to go through in order to
allow us the freedoms that we have. I know Senator Petty was very
passionate about this, as am I. It's a great bill that's going to allow our veteran stories not to be lost and that we can continue to keep them up. Again, the focus is not on wars or anything like that or whether who won, who
lost. It's about their families. With that, I'll stop and answer any questions anyone has. Representative
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:49:25
Meeks, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. Thank you for bringing the bill. I'm a veteran, as you know. So I'm usually very cautious about passing bills that require things to be added into curriculum
because those things can snowball very quickly. So generally, I'm very selective about kind of supporting these ideas. Not necessarily have any concerns here, but I'm just wondering about where the department's at on this, trying to implement it, if they've got any input or words of wisdom for the committee on this one. If you would, please,
Mr. Secretary, introduce yourself for the record, and
Speaker 138
1:50:03
you're recognized. Just Jacob Oliva, Arkansas Department of Education.
We have no concerns with
Speaker 140
1:50:08
the implementation of this requirement. In fact, I'm probably grateful because there's a reality. There's some real local stories and heroes that we need to capture, and it's not adding new requirements to the courses that's being taught, but also creating very good supplemental materials that teachers can pull from. And I envision that maybe even like a partnership with PBS or something to produce some really high-quality content.
Like, this is such a win for the students in the state to learn directly firsthand from current residents. So we'd be happy to support this initiative. Awesome. My hope is that it's already actually
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:50:49
happening out in schools to some degree. But thank you. Representative Gonzalez-Werlin, you recognize for a question? Yes. Thank
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:51:01
you for your bill. And this is, I'm just going to ask the question. I think I already know the answer.
But if you have students who have veterans in their family but they're not from Arkansas, they're from California or they're from Maine or whatever, They would be a part of this as
well, or mainly focusing on Arkansas veterans? I'm just reading the bill and just asking. So
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:51:26
great question. So they're on page 1, line 35.
This bill is focusing on the history of Arkansas veterans, so it would be more focused on Arkansas veterans. Yes, definitely the DOE could talk about, you know, as they start to build it up,
could, you know, as a child or a family says, hey, we are a veteran family, but we were from, you know, here. Or could we be included? I could see that, you know, to the Secretary Oliva's points, I could see this snowballing. And, I mean, this is a great time to actually talk about a program that I was a part of when I was still in the service through the Medal of Honor Foundation. They have actually something that I wanted to bring to the committee when the time is right, and ISP would be a perfect spot. But they take stories of veterans, Medal of Honor recipients.
They're not called, you don't win a Medal of Honor, but Medal of Honor recipients. And they have those stories, and then they have put incredible curriculum together that they make it out there. So just like your question, could this include other veterans, you know, whether it's Arkansas? Of course it could. Obviously this one is written specifically because we've got some great stories. A lot of people here may not have ever even heard of Adam Brown, the story of Adam Brown. There's a book about it. And his story, you know, of right here in Arkansas, it's an incredible story.
You know, Sherry Briley, I brought her up as well. Donovan was from, you know, right here in this area in Little Rock. So another one where we've got tons and tons of veteran stories of our, you know, local veterans. So, but thank you very much for that question. Representative Brown,
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:53:10
you recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative Nazarenko, I like this idea. And I was just curious, had you considered possibly looking at some of the stories from the Library of Congress from the Veterans, I forget what it's called, Living History, any other histories?
Speaker 110
1:53:26
I've got one up there, so I was curious. It's a great story.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:53:29
That's a great, great question. Now, just to be clear, I didn't come up with this. This isn't my idea. I
was happy to sign on to it, but Senator Petty, and this comes from a veteran that he met at his local VFW or American Legion, and it just inspired him to make sure that those stories are not lost. When he sat there in front of those veterans, he realized they have stories that our students will never know unless we present it to them, unless we bring it to them, and they don't know what those families, our students, you know, that aren't familiar,
they'll never have a chance unless we bring them. So great, great opportunity there, and I will definitely bring that up to Senator Petty as a place for the DOE to be
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:54:10
looking at. Well, I think this puts a real human face on
our soldiers, our warfighters, and I think it's important. Thank you. Definitely. Representative Grutter,
Chair
Unverified
1:54:18
you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:54:25
Chair. About the concept of this bill, I'm trying to get a better vision on how we plan on implementing this
in elementary schools, and we're saying for one full semester at every secondary school. Is this a course credit? I'm just trying to get a better understanding, especially at the elementary level, where the rigor is so high. We're trying to make sure students are on task and learning all of the things that are necessary, especially to get to the third grade and pass the test so they can move on to the fourth grade because that's where we retain the students. So can you please explain it to me how we're going to implement this at an elementary school level?
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:55:04
You bet. Great question. And as I met with Secretary Oliva early on in our session to
bring him the information that I had experience with with that Medal of Honor Foundation, and they have curriculum that's set up all the way from young grade school all the way to high school. So this one being that it's only one unit, it's listed as one unit. If you look there in the actual description, it talks about just a unit of that military history or that veteran history.
So I could see that, as Secretary Oliva spoke on, it could have just one story that's presented, you know, and that could be in a great video or it could be in something, a worksheet that they're working through, learning something. I could even see those personal experiences where there are children at that grade watching that video of that veteran family talking about their experience of having to move from place to place or having to deal with a deployment or whatever that was, just so that they can see a different aspect of life
that they may not have ever even thought of.
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:56:09
I understand my concern is more if we're saying from kindergarten all the way through sixth grade. We don't want the video to be redundant, of course, but implementing something like that at the kindergarten level is really what I'm thinking about, kindergarten and first grade, because I know the rigor that's required for them to make sure they're getting on a grade level. So we're saying maybe a book or something along those lines.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:56:40
And what it actually looks like, you know, I would have to just be guessing, like, I'm sure
I have faith in DOE that as they start to develop it and working with the different districts, because each district may end up having a different veteran that they want to bring
that story in. So what that looks like, whether it's a covering book, workbook, video, or something, an interactive piece, I have faith that they'll come up with something that will definitely draw that attention to those children at varying ages and be able to gain something that's meaningful out of it.
Thank you. Seeing no additional questions, we do not have anyone sign up to speak for or against this bill. Would anyone like to speak for or against the bill? Seeing
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:57:25
none, Representative Nazarenko, would you like to close for your bill? So just as a summary, I think this is a great bill where we're able to show folks that have never been exposed. There are so many people that have never experienced any kind of a deployment or what life in the military looks like
for a family, And this just gives a great opportunity to use our stories that are right here around us in Arkansas
with those veterans and those veterans' families, what they've gone to, and then present that in a way that's meaningful to those students where they can walk away and understand what different family life was experienced in it for someone different. With that, I make a motion, do pass, and I ask for a good vote. I am closed. Representative Nazarenko is closed for SB 515. We have a
motion, do pass, on the table. I'll offer just a little bit of discussion. I just want to say thank you, Representative, for bringing this bill. You mentioned the story of someone like Adam Brown.
We've got a number of Arkansas heroes who have amazing stories. I've actually got a couple of neighbors who served with Mr. Brown. And I've got another neighbor whose story is, part of his story is detailed in the movie
called The Outpost, from Combat Outpost Keating of a battle in 2009 in Afghanistan. Some true heroism of Arkansans, and I love that we are looking to tell their stories more
broadly and the stories of their families because it is a true sacrifice. So thank you for bringing this bill, and I look forward to supporting it.
Seeing no additional discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Congratulations, Representative, you passed your bill. Thank you. Members, we're going to move on to one final bill for this morning before we adjourn. So we're going to move to House Bill 1945, Representative McCollum.
Representative Austin McCollum
Unverified
1:59:25
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, committee. So I have House Bill 1945 that I wanted to run today. The reason I'm motivated to present this bill to y'all is because I think we're actually solving for a number of issues and we're empowering families. I think of a few examples that I've heard from northwest Arkansas. One of them you might even recognize the example that I'm going to use and who it is, but essentially probably the best framing to think about what this bill does currently, if you're a student and you attend a public school that's rated F,
you are eligible to transfer within the same school district that you attend to. Let's say you're a student that, for whatever reason, you're just in a bad environment. Maybe it's an example like we've heard earlier, you know, in this session, something to do with bullying or just a bad, toxic environment. For whatever reason, the student's having a hard time. But your school that you attend is not rated F. So what are your options? Well, if you have the means, private school is an option.
If the charter school scenario makes sense, that could be an option, assuming that the way the charter serves the student is good for that student. Or you can even transfer outside of your district. But however, if there's a public school within your district, maybe just a few miles away, that's not an option for you. So we want to make that an option. we want to change the eligibility to do just that. The example that I referenced earlier
came from actually your formal call. Again, long-time member of this committee, Grant Hodges, was telling me where he was picking with his family to live in northwest Arkansas, somewhere in the Bentonville-Centerton area, and they picked a location based off of their understanding of how they were zoned for a particular public elementary school. By the time they moved in and their child started school, it had been rezoned. And so now he's looking around saying, well, that was not only the school that made sense for a commute to work and maybe even why we moved here, but also
some of the community that they had and their relationships they had with the teachers there. So that's kind of what we're getting at here and the type of problems we're trying to solve for. I know sometimes with these type of changes, there's questions about implementation and how it compares to other parts of the statute. I'd love to have, if willing, anyone from the department up here to help maybe with just questions, giving answers about implementation. Mr. Secretary, if you would please introduce yourself for the record.
Speaker 140
2:02:07
Jacob Oliva, Department of Education. If I was to just say for implementation, I think a lot of the questions we get from school districts or commences. One, local school districts that have to adopt a board policy on how they're going to handle those kind of intra-district transfers. But two, the bill outlines and defines capacity, which has been a challenge that we hear across multiple school districts, because we hear from a lot of our school districts that want to accommodate families and request, but also have
to make sure they have room, because they don't want to be out of compliance with a standards violation for not meeting teacher student ratios or configuration so that there's a capacity definition that in a line that says a school district could actually not allow a transfer to happen if they're already at 95% or greater in that grade level because we have to make sure we're accommodating the future families that are going to move in and having a standard kind of statewide
definition for capacity we don't really currently have so I think this would help kind of unify that and support districts with developing local policies for implementation. Thank you and yeah just to piggyback on
Representative Austin McCollum
Unverified
2:03:22
that that was part of the goal here as well to try to get closer to a standard understanding of what that capacity is so that there's more transparency for everyone involved in that process. Happy to take any questions. Are there questions from the committee? I'd say motion
Speaker 280
2:03:41
at a proper time. Seeing no questions, we
do not have anyone sign up to
speak for or against this bill. Would anyone like to speak for or against the bill? Seeing none, we have a motion on the table of due pass. Is there any discussion on
that motion? Vice Chair McKenzie, you're recognized. I just want to drive home the point that Secretary Levy made in this bill. I know it's gone through some changes in machinations, and it's
an analog. It's not a great one, but we have a big problem right now in north of Arkansas about wastewater and then how we start developing for the future to build to critical mass. The absence and what the cause of that issue is no state definition to determine when municipalities,
localities, or cooperatives need to start building for the future. We've done, again, another big, bold reform with LEARNS and allow for all these choice waivers to take place and kids to go where it makes sense for them and their family within the
public school system. I think that this definition is very helpful, because what 80% capacity means in Benton may not be the same as what 90% capacity means in Rogers. So I appreciate the sponsor and the Secretary for working together on this bill. I'm a yes. Seeing
no additional discussion, all in favor say aye.
Aye. All opposed, congratulations to Dr. McCollum. You've passed your bill. Members, Representative Barnett, are you ready to run? 1966 okay we will hear one more bill before we adjourn represent barnett you're recognized if you would please introduce yourself
for the record you're recognized present house bill 1966 All right.
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:05:34
Thank you, Chair. Hello, fellow committee members. I'm Lincoln Barnett. I represent, um, District 63. I'm before
you today to present House Bill 1966. This bill intends to promote school choice and local control, community and civic engagement, and most importantly, local public education that is accessible. Many of our rural school districts
are often limited in their options when it comes to school choice, and this is very true of communities that are part of a consolidated school district
in which there are no local schools available for them to choose from resulting in their children having to be bused or transported 45 to 50-plus miles round trip for school each day.
House Bill 1966 seeks to provide rural communities within a formerly consolidated school district a pathway to
having a local school choice option. House Bill 1966 empowers rural communities rural small municipalities with the ability to partner with local parents and community members
to appeal to their children's school district school board to either establish a local elementary school or a satellite campus of an existing elementary school within the city limits of the rural small municipality. Once the school board approves the appeal and the joint partnership and plan is established, House Bill 1966 empowers the school board and municipality to jointly appeal to the Arkansas Board of Education to establish the elementary school or satellite
campus. The newly formed school or satellite campus will remain a part of the school district and the local school district will have all authority as it relates to how the school is staffed, and operated within that context. House Bill 1966 requires that the rural small municipality has the ability to provide adequate school facilities. It also provides the school and municipality the ability to enter into a written agreement for the provision of in-kind
contributions, which could include things such as utility costs, cost sharing, free use of city facilities, et cetera. House Bill 1966 creates a means for school districts to expand choice within their districts, and it would also help reduce commute time for rural elementary school students who live in isolated communities, giving parents a voice in where their children attend school. Additionally, House Bill 1966 requires buy-in and mutual commitment from both the rules
small municipality, and the school district, promoting community involvement while giving proper respect to local control. At its core, House Bill 1966 requires cost collaboration and community support, which is essential to
providing our children with a quality education that is accessible. Often we hear of expanding school choice, and it is done as a means to provide school choice options outside or beyond public schools. However, House Bill 1966 promotes
school choice within our public schools, and it provides choice options in rural communities that lack school choice options. And at that time, I'll be willing to
take any questions that you might have. Representative, make sure you
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
2:09:16
recognize for a question. I'm just curious. No problems with the Bill, is this happening in your community that someone's trying to
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:09:24
set up a school? I'm just curious. If this bill were to be passed, there are communities within my district that would definitely be interested.
All right. Thank you. Vice Chair McKenzie, you recognize? Thank you for bringing this bill. I'm intrigued by it. I'm just
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:09:43
trying to figure out, so currently a district can
request the satellite campus or an additional school? So House Bill 66 would allow for that community. So now I'll give an example. Let's say the city of Leaves was consolidated into the Tree School District some years ago.
Those children are now bused 50-plus miles round trip each day for school. The city has facilities that could be used for either an elementary school or a satellite campus of an existing school within that district. And so this bill would allow for that municipality to make an appeal to that local school board to say, hey, we would like to alleviate our children, let's say kindergarten through third grade, from having to endure those 50-plus mile bus rides every day.
We have the facilities. We would like to enter into a partnership with you and present to ADE about either establishing a primary elementary school or satellite campus of your existing
elementary school in our community. And that's why I read, and I had the ADE fact
checker, and that's why I'm intrigued. I kind of like the idea. The only
thing that, like, and if you could answer this, then I'll be good, is could there be a situation where a town, part of a consolidated school district,
because we really want a satellite, and the school district is like, well, we can't afford it. Whatever logistical obstruction they put in the way. So, yes, the school board.
Hold on. Is there a way that that city could go around the
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:11:23
district to go to the state school board and say, we want this? No. Okay. So
this requires that a partnership be established between the municipality and the school district before it goes to ADE. So there's no going around the other entity.
Representative Barnett, and maybe more question for the department. What is different in this than what the current practice already is? What's already in statute that's allowed? Does this
differ in any way? That may be a department question if Ms. Solis-Ford or Secretary Oliva could come to the table. Courtney Solis-Ford for the Department of Education.
Speaker 292
2:12:10
So the way I read the law, there's nothing in the way
Speaker 293
2:12:13
I read your bill, there's nothing in law now that would prevent any particular group from making a request to a school district board of directors, and then it's within their authority to establish new schools as they see fit, either because of a growing population or to meet the needs of a particular town or city. So I'm not aware of anything in conflict. So Representative Barnett, and again,
I agree with Fusher McKenzie. I think it's a very intriguing idea. I'm just trying to get my mind around how this changes what can already be done.
Speaker 295
2:12:42
Okay. I don't know. I don't see anything in code that says that it can't be done,
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:12:50
but I also don't see anything in code that says that it necessarily can be done in this fashion. And so that's why the bill is being presented. Representative Brown,
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:13:06
you, Mr. Chair. I just had a logistics question, and maybe you already addressed it and I didn't catch it.
What would be the logistics on this? How would you have separate teachers or would the teachers from the main school come and teach throughout the day? So logistically, that would be up to the
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:13:28
school district on how they're going to handle staffing and operations. It can be done in several ways. The school district may decide, and this would be the school district's decision, because the school district will still be the authority in this situation.
They could either decide that they want to hire additional personnel or they could either reassign personnel that they already have. So let's say in a situation of a satellite campus where currently students are attending a public elementary school that's 50-plus miles away from their home, that school district can decide that we're going to pull three public school teachers from our existing elementary school to service this satellite campus.
And on that satellite campus, the school district will have free latitude as to how those
classes will be set up, whether they're going to teach an individual
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:14:29
grade or whether they teach a multi-grade level classroom. Just a couple more questions. So, like, would the school district be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the facility that the city is providing for
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:14:45
the school? Yes, so there's a provision in the bill that allows for in-kind contribution agreement to be developed between the municipality and the school district.
And so that could either be a shared responsibility, or it could be the total responsibility of the municipality to maintain a building. But I'm sure as a public school entity going into a space, they also want to have some authority in saying that. But that mutual agreement is allowed and permissible through this bill, and it allows for the municipality and the district to come to terms on what that agreement will be. So there could be some flexibility.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:15:26
Yes, ma'am. They just have to negotiate their own terms. Correct. And as far as cafeteria services and all of that. Correct. Thank
Representative Austin McCollum
Unverified
2:15:38
you. Representative McCollum, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Kind of looking at my notes here, I think just about every question I wrote down was answered as everyone else did. I was obviously intrigued because I just ran a bill on something with the idea of enabling more choice. I was going to ask for some more examples, because you said that, and you've given those
examples. I like the idea of being able to utilize existing resources seems enabling in that regard. And the whole idea of, like, some of the more rural districts that have to spend X amount of minutes on a bus, I think that's just time back, whether it's homework or in some type of learning capacity. So I like that part. I think what I heard is this isn't necessarily in conflict from current practices, so do you view your legislation then as codifying current practices and legislators actually saying we want to put in code what is a good idea, even if there is similar current practice going on?
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:16:42
I'm not presently aware of any district in which this has taken place. So, you know,
that's why I feel the need to codify it. Okay. Thank you. Representative Painter, you recognize? Thank you,
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:16:55
Mr. Chair. I'm all for this bill. I'm glad you're doing it. Just for
folks around that don't know the Delta very well, do you know the average mileage that districts are having to reach out? I know we talked about 30, 50 miles,
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:17:09
but is that pre-average? I don't know the average as it relates to statewide.
I know there have been some groups to look into that. I can speak to one community within my district that I know it's at least 50-plus round-trip, and then I've done some nonprofit work in a more rural area in the Delta, but it's outside of my district, and those students, again, are 60-plus-mile round-trip. Well, again, I support this
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:17:42
bill, and I appreciate you bringing this
because I think hopefully that will help the Delta
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:17:52
in some schools. Representative Mayberry, do you have a question? Thank you, Mr. Chair. I absolutely see the need that you're trying to address here. You know,
when we had to consolidate the schools, it really some small towns just kind of fell apart because they lost their school, and the school was the heart of that community, and this might help those rural areas grow again. I guess my question is, well, two questions.
One, does it have to have a certain number of students? I don't see anything written here, but is there any other, maybe with the Department of Ed, that you have to have X number in order to make this work? Is there? Okay. I didn't want to. No,
Speaker 293
2:18:36
you're fine. No, so there's nothing in law or rules that requires any school to have a certain number of students. There are provisions that if a school district has less than 350, you know, then there are certain things that have to go on, but not to any particular school.
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:18:51
That would be completely up to the district. Yes, and that's all I was going to add is that once the municipality makes the appeal to the district, those will be things for the district to consider in making a decision of whether
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:19:07
or not they want to enter into that partnership. Okay, and then my other question deals more with the facility and the construction and all that. I'm sure that, I mean, there might be
a situation where it was a school at some point. It's just been sitting there.
I don't know. But just some other building, I'm sure there's going to have to be some updates to it, whatever facility they might have. And will they be able to make use of construction funding from the state to do that? I mean, I'm just trying to look at how is that meshed together. Well, I'm not sure
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:19:42
about the use of construction funding that you just mentioned, but I do know that with the provision of this bill that it allows the in-kind contribution agreement to be made,
that allows for the municipality and or any of its community partners to be able to support whatever is needed to have those facilities ready for academic learning and classroom space. Yeah, and so, of course, the district could use any of
Speaker 293
2:20:09
its own funding for for facilities but then um also the district would be eligible for state partnership funding as long as it meets all those requirements if it's
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:20:19
owned by the city though would they would the city have to then let it be owned by the the school district because now we're kind of mingling
Speaker 293
2:20:29
i'm not the best person to answer uh questions we can get more information on that um i think it would have to there would either have to be some sort of agreement that the district had ownership in it if it was a leased property then no they couldn't use partnership funding because
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:20:48
that's more for construction and and I would add that in in this situation I'm quite sure that if a municipality is able to get the support of their local school district for something like this that council would most likely be willing to donate that building for that cause in most cases
with, um, communities that have, um, endured school consolidation. They, they have an excess of buildings, especially if the city owns those buildings that were former school buildings. They have excess of buildings that they're not necessarily utilizing all the time. They may utilize it partly for summer, uh, or feeding program, but they're not fully utilizing that. And so I don't see that being an issue if it comes down to the district needing to have ownership of that building.
Again, that would be allowable with the provision in this bill in establishing those in-kind contribution agreements. See no additional questions? I think we
Speaker 80
2:21:53
have one. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, Representative
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
2:21:55
Andrews. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just one real quick question here. I have a town in my district that I can see where this could work, but the former school district that was there, of course, consolidated, and when the consolidated school district gave the buildings to the city, they put in a clause in there, the mayor told me about, that said that building from that point cannot be used from that point for a public school ever again.
How would you get around
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:22:30
that? I think that would require the district that implemented that clause to be willing to let out of that clause or agreement. I am familiar with those types of agreements that have resulted as school consolidation when former school buildings have been given to municipalities or to other private entities. But I would think that that district, if they're then considering exploring doing such a thing as a satellite campus
or reestablishing a school campus within that community, I think they would be willing to pull back on that stipulation. And I think that can be drawn up and handled between the two entities. Seeing no additional questions,
we do not have anyone signed up to speak for or against this bill. Representative
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:23:26
Barnett, would you like to close for your bill? Yes, again, this bill promotes school choice within our public education system, and it provides a choice option to many rural communities who otherwise have no school choice option
as it relates to having something local and accessible. And so I just would ask for your support, and I would give a motion due pass. Representative Barnett has closed for his bill. We have a motion
due pass on the table. Is there a discussion on the motion? see no discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, congratulations Representative Barnett. You have passed your bill. Thank you.
Committee, we are going to stand in recess until 15 minutes upon adjournment. House education is in recess.
Agenda
RE-REFERRED TO COMMITTEE
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1709 Steele TO AMEND THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM; AND TO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS IN THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM.
Recess
HB1719 Vaught TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS APPROVED BY A SCHOOL THAT OFFERS MATERNITY LEAVE.
REGULAR AGENDA
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1710 Vaught TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM USING OR REFERENCING A PUBLIC SCHOOLRATING IN ANY ADVERTISING, PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL, OR COMMUNICATION DIRECTED TO THE PUBLIC.
HB1727 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATION CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB1017 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLICSCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO PAY FOR INCURRED COSTS FOR APPROVED PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.
HB1755 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARKANSAS PREVENTION NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY.
SB402 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE FROM REQUIRING OR TAKING CERTAIN ACTIONS RELATED TO EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.
SB373 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION.
HB1081 B. McKenzie TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES.
HB1139 B. McKenzie TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT.
HB1747 Vaught TO CREATE THE BABIES AT SCHOOL ACT; AND TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO PERMIT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PARENTS TO BRING THEIR INFANTS SIX MONTHS OR YOUNGER TO WORK.
HB1761 D. Garner TO INCREASE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INCOME LIMITS FOR STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNTS IN THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR AND THEREAFTER.
SB352 Stone TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
HB1806 Vaught TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE STUDENTS; AND TO ALLOW A PARENT TO REVIEW AND OPT OUT OF SELECTED LIBRARY MEDIA MATERIALS FOR HIS OR HER CHILD.
HB1864 Andrews TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN STUDENT INSTRUCTION; AND TO CREATE A STANDARDIZED FLEXIBLE SCHOOL CALENDAR SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HB1874 B. McKenzie AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AWARDED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.
SB90 J. English TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENT AT EACH MEETING OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
HB1482 Gramlich TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A GED TEST AND RECEIVES A GED.
HB1492 Gramlich TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM.
SB425 J. English TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING ENHANCED TRANSPORTATION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB470 J. Dotson TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO CERTAIN STUDENTS IN A VIRTUAL SETTING TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.
SB515 J. Petty TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN EXISTING ARKANSAS HISTORY COURSE CONTENT GUIDELINES.
SB547 D. Sullivan TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT LIVE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR PURPOSES OF PARTICIPATING IN AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY.
SB467 C. Penzo TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS OR CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS.
HB1903 Walker TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FLEXIBILITY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.
HB1924 Puryear TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTABLISH RULES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEKS.
HB1933 McCollum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A RECALL ELECTION AND PETITION FOR REMOVAL FOR A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
HB1940 Walker TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT INITIATES AND MAINTAINS A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1945 McCollum TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT OF 2015; AND TO ALLOW A STUDENT TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHIN HIS OR HER RESIDENT DISTRICT.
SB484 Irvin TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY A VACANCY IS FILLED ON A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
SB504 Irvin TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS RURAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM ACT.
SB559 J. English TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021.
HB1919 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS.
HB1825 Wooldridge TO ALLOW A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO REQUIRE AN ENROLLED STUDENT TO EARN ONE UNIT OF CREDIT IN A COMPUTER SCIENCE OR COMPUTER SCIENCE-RELATED CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSE IN ORDER TO GRADUATE.
HB1990 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION.
SB450 B. Davis TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE A HUMAN FETAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION IN THE RELEVANT STANDARDS DURING THE ARKANSAS ACADEMIC STANDARDS REVISION CYCLE.
HB1312 Brooks TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.
HB1962 Vaught TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM SERVING OR SELLING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY.
HB1966 Barnett TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOCAL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR SATELLITE SCHOOL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
HB1986 Nazarenko CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS.
SB572 J. Dotson TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS.
HB1977 Bentley TO CREATE THE PROTECTING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IN LIBRARIES ACT.
HB1242 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED.
SB303 Dees TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
SB183 J. Dotson TO AMEND THE UNIVERSAL ACT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY PROVIDE TO STUDENTS.
DEFERRED BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1027 D. Garner TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO REQUIRE THE TREASURER OF STATE TO MAKE A ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION TO EACH EXISTING AND FUTURE ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN ACCOUNT.
HB1030 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID; AND TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL COUNSELOR TO RECEIVE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING.
HB1031 D. Garner TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATION ACT OF 2025; AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH CURRICULUM IN ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADDRESSES CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES FACING STUDENTS.
HB1239 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING.
HB1528 McGruder TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL.
HB1539 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
HB1490 Wardlaw TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT RETURN TEMPORARILY ISSUED ITEMS, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, AND PROPERTY BELONGING TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN A HOME SCHOOL.
HB1020 A. Collins TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM; TO CREATE A NEW EDUCATION FUNDING CATEGORY FOR STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES; AND TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ACT FUND.
HB1022 A. Collins TO REPEAL PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB1023 A. Collins TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AND TO AMEND THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN FORGIVENESS AND THE LOAN REPAYMENT AMOUNTS UNDER THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM.
HB1025 McGruder TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.
HB1144 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM TO COMPLY WITH THE SAME STATUTORY AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO WHICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SUBJECT.
HB1197 S. Meeks TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN OUTDOOR PRACTICE, SCRIMMAGE, GAME, OR ACTIVITY FOR AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY DURING THE HOURS WHEN AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN DECLARED.
HB1541 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDING OF ANY TYPE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL.
HB1542 Wooten TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT; AND TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMIT EACH STUDENT WHO APPLIES FOR ADMISSION AND INTENDS TO COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL COSTS WITH STATE FUNDING.
HB1806
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE, Apr 8, 2025 | Agenda | 4 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Keith Brooks Chair
Unverified
Speaker 3
Speaker 5
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
Speaker 9
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
Speaker 19
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
Speaker 21
Speaker 39
Speaker 40
Speaker 55
Speaker 57
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
Speaker 74
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
Speaker 97
Speaker 107
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
Speaker 65
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
Speaker 124
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
Speaker 139
Speaker 138
Speaker 140
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
Speaker 183
Representative Brit McKenzie Chair
Unverified
Speaker 212
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
Speaker 163
Speaker 244
Speaker 248
Speaker 250
Speaker 252
Speaker 254
Speaker 4
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
Speaker 110
Chair
Unverified
Representative Austin McCollum
Unverified
Speaker 280
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
Speaker 292
Speaker 293
Speaker 295
Speaker 80
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified