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…”
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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…”
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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- October 2, 2026
Representative Cozart to start us, if you would please stand just a quick note,
um, if you would, uh, all of you in the culture as well remembered, uh, Representative Duke, uh, she just got a call, uh, that her mom
was being taken to the emergency room and uh with some heart issues, don't know the extent of it, but she's pretty uh pretty challenging morning so please pray for her as well as the Hendron family if you would please.
Thank you. So members without objection, uh, we've come to expect this of me and this committee as we're going to move around. We're gonna try to catch uh everybody we can when we can catch them based
upon other committee, um, responsibilities this morning, so obviously a lot of members are going to be in and out, uh, 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 gonna recognize without objection representative Perrier.
For 1924. Representative, if you would please introduce yourself and you're recognized. Chad Perrier
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
1:48
house District 25. Just wanted to sit down here and say I'm going to withdraw uh 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're withdraw that bill and I appreciate you guys. Represent per
Speaker 9
2:08
year plans to withdraw the bill. Any questions for representative
Perer saying none. Thank you, Representative. Uh, next, recognize without
objection, uh, moving to 3rd page of the page of the agenda represent a vault
for HP 1962. If you would please, Representative, introduce yourself for the
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
2:30
record and you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair, DMA District 87. Um, I'm gonna ask to put
this into an ISP so we can study it. I've got some questions about, uh, you know, football games and Gatorade and popcorn and, and parties at
schools and so we're gonna pull this down, we'll do an interim study on it and maybe have something, uh, ready to go
by next session. As a fan of popcorn, I appreciate that. uh, so Representative Vau is gonna pull down HB 1962, sent it to ISP in the interim. Any questions for Representative
Wat? None. Thank you, ma'am. Our members without objection going back to the first page,
uh, so we're gonna start, um, having votes on bills that do show a fiscal impact. Uh, that's
something that we'd say we're gonna hold till the end of the session, uh, we're now
there, um, obviously, it will be the will of the committee based upon what that is, uh, in terms of overall fiscal impact or or fiscal capacity. I don't know that there is a significant amount. However, it's obviously the member's 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 recognized uh on 1017.
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
3:46
Thank you committee. This is a bill presented it last week, um, and this is the maternity leave for
public school teachers. Bill, really appreciated the positive discussion in the motion by Representative Vaut. I want to emphasize this as no new GR. This is all going to be done from within the department's budget, um, and so I believe that does not run afoul of your um of your need to not have new GR, so I would appreciate I appreciate the motion. I appreciate the. about.
Just to follow up, are there any questions for Representative Collins? See no questions. We do have a motion on the table of do pass. So there's discussion on that motion? See no discussion. All in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations represent Colin, 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.
So Yeah We will go to Representative Steele. Recog for 1709. If you would please introduce
yourself for the record and you're recognized. Thank you,
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
5:12
Mr. Chair. Members, Tracy Steele, District 72, uh, this is a bill that's been before you a few times, has been voted out. It
has two financial impact studies and it was amended, uh, so that this does not obligate the Department of Education or the Department of Human Services to to put any funding in the program. We will be working with other people who have bills and think that we can, we can partner with some of the other programs, uh, throughout the state. I think you heard test owner from DHS, uh, they supported. I've worked with the governor's office. They support it and the Department of Education. would appreciate a good vote.
So are the questions for Representative Seale. I wanted to clarify a couple of things if I could represent him so um so I know we a couple different fiscal impacts on it, uh, one, I guess the second one shows the state's share of $31 million.
Can you just refresh my memory and help me remember kind of how that, how that plays out because if I remember right, that was just a portion of school districts, um, that, that were looked at, uh, I just, I wanna make sure I, I guess I, the, 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 benefit of
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
6:27
it? Well, OK, I would answer the first question. Uh, first, the, uh, the fiscal impact that I mentioned is, uh, from, from Department of Human Services here. So you're from DHS here, Miss,
Speaker 21
6:37
I think Mrs. McVeigh had been here several times. I believe Tiffany was here. I saw her in
the hallway. If anyone might go grab Tiffany
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
6:54
Wright if she happens to be in the hallway. I know she was hanging around earlier. I don't believe there's anybody else from the department of human they're doing that, I can ask you a question. uh, Mr.
Chairman. The, the, the impact in and why, why this is needed is this is an existing program that this has been in, in effect for many years, they, I said 12, I was, I was, uh, 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 uh kids bring a lot of issues to school sometime 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 this.right is in
the room now. If you would please, uh, just yourself for the record.
And uh we'll continue with the questions.
Speaker 39
7:56
Hi, good morning. I'm Tiffany Wright. I'm the director for the division of Children
and Family Services. think him is right, and I think the question was just surrounding uh how DHS CCFS looks at House Bill 1709 and
then kind of just looking at the fiscal impact and what, what the impact of that would be should we not actually fund that, um, just kind of what those dynamics look
Speaker 40
8:21
like. So as explained in um prior testimony, I think that was last week, um.
Speaker 39
8:28
currently DCFS provides prevention services in collaboration with what happens with home and community-based services through Medicaid. Um, we also have staff who are not located in schools but provide parenting, transportation to families that we're working with, um, also, um, as it relates to the financial impact we, uh, we did estimate one, family service worker, one mental health counselor, per 4 school district.
for a 99 school districts, um, following the formula that's in here related to the 80%, um, free. Sorry, 80% of the eligible income for free and reduced lunch. Um, I think that Some of this work is happening across the state, maybe not necessarily with staff in schools. And So should we, should
this bill pass out, but we not have a, a.
Financing method for how Representative Steele, how would it impact the work that DCFS or DHS is currently doing. With regard to this. Well, let me, let
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
9:47
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, um, I can remember one time it was received funding from what we, what's now known
as tanny funding, TANF over funding. I think there are 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 that the funding could be, could be there. As I mentioned, I don't think, I don't know if I mentioned this last time or not, but, uh, a great example is my school district in North Little Rock where I served on the school board for 88 years. We had a
social worker from this very program from from DHS, uh, she served for a couple of years, uh, under a one year contract. She served 22 contract years. Uh, then the school district picked her up on a permanent basis, uh, after she completed her work. Now that young lady is president. of our school board in North Little Rock. So the program has been, has been very successful on multi 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 steel, would you like to close for your bill? I'm close. purposes of steals clothes for his bill. What's the will of the committee? We have a motion to pass. Is there as amended? I'm sorry, do pass as amended. Is there a discussion on that motion? Say no discussion in favor say aye, all opposed. I'm sorry, I represent bill your bill's failed. Seal your bills failed. Members
We are currently one short of a quorum. Uh, and so, I'm going to recess and see if we can get some of the folks here, uh, so we can at least have a uh baby corum, um, at least be into 11 members, uh, because I wanna make sure that uh that because as we are, unless I'm counting wrong so somebody please uh correct me. I'm trying to count. I'm trying to count and talk at the same time. Um. But I want to make sure that as
we hear new bills because I believe everything else is going to be a, a new piece of legislation we have not heard yet, so I want to ensure that we give all members a fair hearing on that bill, uh, and especially as we will be voting on those things. So, uh, house education will stand in recess. I'm not gonna give you a time frame. I'm gonna say 10 minutes and then we'll see what we
can uh see what we can gather up house for education standard recess for 10 minutes.
All right. Cheers Sesorum again. Against the baby corn, but we'll do what we can, uh, we're going to, without objection, I'm gonna hear from Representative Gramlich for Senate Bill 467, then we're going
to go to Representative McAlinden, uh, for a couple of bills. Representative Gram, if you would please introduce
Speaker 55
21:44
yourself for the record and you're recognized. Thank you, Zach Gramlich, state representative,
Speaker 57
21:51
district 50. Sports math. me Uh, Senate bill, uh, 467,
honestly, um, 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's 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 on my promise, saying we're gonna add you to the list for someone who can, um,
Deal with a student athlete concussion. Are there any questions for Representative? See no questions, we do not have anyone signed up to speak for against this bill. Would you like
Speaker 57
22:43
to speak for or against the bill? See you know represent Graham book, 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 Bill Senate Bill 467. We have a motion on the table to do pass from Cosar. Is there a discussion on that motion? See no discussion. I see I. All posts. Congratulations, Representative Gramli. You've
passed your bill. Thank you, Chair. Thank you for your time, without objection, we're going to move to uh wherever on the agendas representative McAlinden is. And we're gonna hear, I believe 2 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 I correct? Yes, sir. Representative Mindy
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
23:16
McAlinden, House District 10. We'll start with, uh, 1919. Is that the one with the amendment? Yes. OK, so staff will
pass out the amendment if you would give us a little time to look at that and then we'll, um, discuss the
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
24:01
So, uh, 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 McAloon has explained the amendment. We have a motion to adopt a discussion on that motion, seeing none, all paper CI all opposed. Congratulations you've adopted the amendment. Now you're recognized to represent House Bill 1919 as amended.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
24:25
Thank you. So Hasbell 1919 is the public school access and Transparency Act actually representative Cozart referenced this when I
brought you my uh parents and teachers helping students succeed act to make sure that when public schools make copies for parents, they are not violating copyright law, um, it. also addresses digital access as well. Uh, I did take this bill in front of the foyer 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 McAlinden on this bill? See 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.
See and we have a motion on the table to do pass as amended for House Bill 1919. There's a discussion on that motion. See no discussion in favor say aye, all opposed. Congratulations you passed your bill as amended. Thank you. So
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
25:18
the next bill is the companion bill to it, which is Senate Bill 572. It is the identical bill. Uh, I ran this amendment
Speaker 74
25:26
to match. Uh, Senate Bill 572. With that, I'll take any questions. Are there
questions for Representative McAloon on House Bill 1990.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
25:36
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. The Senate 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, OK. So the questions for Representative. See no questions. Would anyone like to speak for or against the bill? Say none, Representative McAllen, would you like to close for your bill? I am closed for my bill. So it was closed for a bill. We have a motion to pass on the tables a discussion on that motion?
See no discussion, all in favor say aye. I posed. Congratulations, you passed your bill. All right, last one, I promise, and it'll
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
26:13
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 it just a moment to take a look at it.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
26:56
OK, I apologize for the lengthy amendment. This actually replaces the entirety of section 2 of your bill, and this is really the crux of the
of the bill. Representative McAloon has presented the amendment on House Bill 1990. We have, uh, no questions on the. Amendment, we have a motion to adopt. Is there a discussion on that motion? See none, all in favor say aye, all post congratulations, you've adopted your amendment. Now you're recognized to present House Bill 1990 as amended. Thank you, Chairman.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
27:23
So this is a, um, a bill that I'm running that I
intend to put into interim studies 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 this 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, 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 tension of this is.
So just to clarify, you're just intending to pull this down and put it in in I would
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
28:13
like to run this through here and then I will
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
28:19
refer it. OK Uh, represent Ezrio, you recognized for the question. Thank you,
Speaker 74
28:22
Mr. Chair. So just, uh, and That's how I was told to handle it. I don't know why, yeah, yeah, OK.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
28:29
So what I was told was to file the 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 referred to
Speaker 97
28:42
ISP. That's what the parliamentarian 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 would representative does not have to pass it out of
the committee to, to get it to an interim study,
uh, so it is, it is your purview should you choose to put an interim study to do that, uh, you just have to reach out to Ms. Jaro um to request that, uh, but you don't have to pass it out of the committee.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
29:11
I would like to pass it out of committee since it affects education and
y'all will be seeing it. Understood. So are there additional questions for uh represent Nazarenko, you have a question. Thank
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
29:20
you, Mr. Chairman. So just, just to, and, and I appreciate that I I I 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 or the students getting and that's, that's the intent OK, great, thank you
Speaker 107
29:59
very much. and Cozaar you recognize for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So let me
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
30:04
understand what you think you're trying to do. So you're wanting to pass it out of this committee, which automatically
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
30:14
puts it on the calendar. Correct. You want it on the calendar? Yes, and you want to run it through the house? No. Once I, once we pass it out of committee, I wanted, I want it to run through y'all because y'all will be seeing it this summer.
So, or over the next year because I, my intention is to put 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'll 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 to interim study that I may be wrong but that was the way that you've done that and that's the proper
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
30:41
solution is to do what you've just done, but put. then say, I want to put it in an interim study. So you're saying I should refer you now. You should not vote on this bill if you're going to put it in her study, OK. I'm comfortable with that, that's the way I see it and that's the way we've always done it for you. You can do it any way you want to. I'm not sitting in that chair, you all, but that's just the way we've always done it. You're just. Yeah, you're just pushing it on to another level that you really
don't have to do for inter study just did one a while ago, the same way. I'm thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. garner, you have a question. Just
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
31:14
have a quick question about the, uh, study afterwards will so for interim study there's a
lot of different ways to do interim studies as well, but you're expecting the education and higher and especially I think the higher ed subcommittee would be a part of that study. Yeah, that would
Speaker 65
31:27
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. uh, so Representative McAlin is going to
put HB 1990 in interim study. We do not have a motion on that and Gonzalezworth, and would you like
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
31:49
to ask a question? Yes, I would. Thank you. OK, just to make sure, so your interim study is is is studying specifically the liberal liberal arts degrees, the, the, those seem to be the ones that are
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
32:00
generally questioned. I, I think most people are comfortable with the math, science, engineering courses on the whole, OK.
Thank you Are there additional questions about the committee? See no additional questions. Thank you, Representative McAlin. Thank you. Thank you all.
Members without objection, we are going to move to Representative Nazarenko, are you gonna run? House
Speaker 124
32:34
Bill 1986. Uh, let's, let's knock out 1986,
uh, since we've got a House bill, we wanna make sure
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
32:54
we get those out. If you introduce yourself for the
record and you recognize. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you committee for uh allowing me to present, uh, today. So House bill, uh, excuse me, Jason Erenko, a house, uh, Representatives District 4, Marion County, and then parts of Baxter County. Uh, I'll bring to you today, 1986, House Bill 1986, and you
can see on there it is a act concerning excuse absences for children of fallen service members and children of fallen first responders responders and for other purposes. What I want to start with is, uh, just to give you kind of a history and a backside on this. Uh, I remember, uh, back in early 2000, uh, I was in a, uh, in a involved with a 3 aircraft, uh, mission where one of those aircraft didn't come back. The way I remember That
mission was uh sitting in a
um sitting in a church with a family of my fallen soldier in front of me, uh, Dave Stanley, his wife and his two young sons, and those two young sons were just weeping because of their, 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, in aviation, we're an inherently dangerous um field in the service and so we.
Unfortunately had to deal with loss quite a bit. Um, my last one, I mention it here in this, in this committee before was uh the good friend that I had and lost in my last trip to Iraq, who also had had children that were in school and, uh, what I know is that the military, our unit particularly, uh, the night stalkers, we did a really good job of, uh, gathering around that family member gathering, gathering around those children. Comforting them with that loss that they suffered. This was something that, that was gonna
have, they're gonna have to live with this for the rest of their lives. Another part of that obviously is school, um, when they go back to school, when they finally do, many of these students, unfortunately are pulled from school, period, that year. Uh, 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, 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 this, this bill covers, you know, the, it talks about the mental stress, mental illness, or mental health concerns 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 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, uh, I feel that are affiliated with the military and that they take these children in, they bring them in, you know, 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, uh, for these students for their for their mental health concern or mental health, uh, going forward. It has been proven that it made, it's made, you know, tremendous uh help toward allowing them to. Um, you know, make it through that, that, uh, tragedy.
So what this bill does is it, it, uh, as it states it's making it an excused absence. There are certain limitations, obviously, it does give the, the school, the ability to say no to certain times, if you look at the very end, if there is a, uh, a test ongoing, a standardized test that is, that is not in a time that they can be on and 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 uh, 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, uh, and, and providing that comfort care, uh, for those children. So this is something, uh, as mentioned before, I'm very passionate about. Uh, I know that, uh, first responders and veterans, uh, families, they suffer hard and uh this is one way that we can give back to them and ensure that that child can transition through this tragedy, uh,
successfully. So with that, I'm open to any questions. Represent Mayberry, you recognized for a question. Um
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
37:22
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I certainly, my heart goes out to
anyone in, in these situations, 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, um, grief is grief.
And so I, I don't know if, if you can explain to me is this never an excused absence, let's just say someone's mom died in in a tornado. Um, is it not an
excused absence in that situation right now. So thank you, uh,
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
38:08
Representative Mayberry for that, and I appreciate that. And, and you are right, you know, death is a death, but there's some deaths that are, you know, obviously, when a child has to deal with their with their spouse or their hus that their father, mother killed in action or killed in some sort of tragic.
Um, tragic instance, it's proven that that is something that even harms even more, uh, than if, if it was like a, 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 uh the fallen service members, the children
of the fallen service members, so. I I
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
38:49
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, 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, um, some excused.
Speaker 139
39:29
Absences available to help them. Could you explain that
Speaker 138
39:33
to me? Sure. Jacob Oliva, Department of Ecation. Sorry, chair, um, yeah, so I mean, obviously I think when we're dealing with a family that has a tragedy in their life.
Speaker 140
39:42
We want to support any emotional support they need, trauma, they're gonna go through. Um, the different phases of grief and 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 um meeting one of the qualifications or the identifying uh 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 inactive 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
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
40:37
we're recognizing that as well. OK, I, I, I know that there's like crime victim events for other situations, mass shootings or something like that, again, uh. I think that the grief is real for that child and we need to do what we can to help and so I, I just have a hard time saying that. That this grief is grief.
I, I, I, I, I'm, I'm struggling. I understand. I, 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, and I value all life. And Representative Mayberry, I
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
41:18
definitely would agree with you and, and I appreciate, uh, Secretary Oliva's, you know, concern, and this, this was
a uh a veteran bill that was brought to me through the veteran organization, so it was therefore obviously gonna be focused, you know, on the veteran, but I would, you know,
support anything there as well, like if there was other legislature that, that came about, that was, you know,
any kind of loss, uh, this one though as Secretaryliva did mention this is, you know, even on page 2 line 10, you know, it brings up, you know, traum loss. So it's kind of specifically on that veteran, that first responder traumatic loss, not saying that any loss is, is greater than, 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 a drug a body through the streets in Mogadishu. That to me is traumatic. And that to me is something that is gonna have to be lived with for the rest of the, the rest of that family's life. And so that, that's what this bill is really focusing on is something of that nature,
uh, not to say that any other loss is any less, so I, I do appreciate that question, I do know a family.
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
42:35
The sun Watched his dad. Shoot his mom. That's traumatic, definitely. Witnessing that And That child would be left out of. And so I, I mean, for that purpose, I, I, I just, I have a hard time if we're gonna 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
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
43:13
kids. That's traumatic. And, and I definitely, I can see what you're saying, but this bill is not saying that those
deaths are not. Uh, dramatic or not worthy. This, this bill, if I would have, 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, uh, so specifically, but I do appreciate your question. Do
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
43:33
the school districts already allow some of this though? I mean, I
would think that, that a school counselor or a school should be able to allow
some flexibility when you have situations that, you know, the child obviously is. I struggled
Speaker 140
43:49
to be in the classroom. Yeah, I, I, I do think, um. To represent Nazarenko's point is this bill is targeting certain students that are dealing with certain levels of tragedy or loss in their lives. I do Um, agree with your perspective that if if we're gonna 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, I do think there's opportunity as we're looking at preparing for the future of doing a more comprehensive robust, um. 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, well, how can we be a little bit more prescriptive or definitive on making sure we're taking in the care 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 are? chronically absent because right
now if, if I was asking 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 gonna be different because some are gonna be if they're there for 5 minutes, that counts as a full day. So you have to be there by lunch, some you have to be there 3 periods out of 6 periods. So having some standard definitions of what determines present, what determines absence, what determines excuse, what the determines unexcused, I think there's opportunity, but
I, but I, I think if I was a support uh represented Nazarenko and his efforts, it's a start, right? Like, so he's, he's at least trying to put some pieces in place to make sure
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
45:52
we're we're doing our due diligence and care. 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 help. All of our children.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
46:08
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, and asked me to run it, I would, I would rather run this, but I would 100% supporting and, and working with you in interim or uh and the next one to, to like as uh Secretary Oliva said, more
than happy to do that and would love to help, uh, to do that as well. additional questions cos question. kind of
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
46:37
a question statement, but I, I'm trying to figure, I think your tent what I see your intent is, is, is for people
that serve our country, our states, and are put in the line of of fire each and every day is what you're trying to focus this on and I, I don't disagree with Julie what she's trying to do those things do happen and uh I think that's just a separate bill that would, that would address another group, uh, or another um. Amount of people that we need to. I love your bill. I think it's a great bill, uh, and I know it's hard to always get everybody in that, but I think it's a good start and uh appreciate you Bill.
Would you agree? I would agree. Thank you. Are there additional questions about the committee? And no one has signed up to speak for or against the bill. What do you like to speak
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
47:34
for against the bill? See non-represented as you're recognized. uh, thank you, uh, committee and thank you, chair. Uh, so I will say, uh, had I had a
little bit more, I didn't know we were gonna present today. We were thinking it was going to be tomorrow just looking at the calendar. I did have a Gold Star spouse who is wanting to be
here, that Sherry Browley you all have met her before. She's a good friend of mine. Uh, I brought her out to a Memorial Day ceremony in Mountain Home, Arkansas, where I spoke, uh, on the 30th anniversary of the uh of the Battle of Mogadishu where she lost her husband, uh, Donovan Bri. And at the time she had a young daughter and uh Jordan has, you know, now children of her own and so she, uh, obviously at the time that that happened, Jordan was
so young that she would not have been affected by this, but she is affected by it still, uh,
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, uh, special operations, uh, because every year bringing those folks. Back together, uh, with,
with our community, uh, it's meaningful to them and I know that Sherry would have loved to have been here today. Uh, and so would a few of others, but uh unfortunately they'll not be able to make it, but I would, uh, appreciate a good vote on this. I do, uh, I
do make a motion of uh do pass and I presented to the building for a good, good vote. Thank you.
I'm close. President Nazareco has closed for his bill. He's made a motion to passes or discussion on that motion? See no discussion at all in favor, say a all opposed. Congratulations Jo Nezarenka, you've
passed your bill. Thank you, chair of 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
49:26
Thank you, Mr. Chair. State Senator Tyler Dees District 35. And uh uh members, uh, and, and chairman, if, if I may ask for
Speaker 19
49:36
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. Yes, if you would please introduce yourself for the record, uh, you're the more famous Mr. Rogers, frankly, uh, introduce yourself for the record and you recognized. Greg Rogers, Department of Education. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
49:57
committee. So Senate Bill 303, we presented um a few weeks back and um I'm happy to kind of go through the highlights of it as well as a refresher, um, but, but I also wanted to spend some time. Uh, to talk through, um, 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 um uh really a handful of students, I believe this impacts across the state, um, uh, small scale, but what we've got is, is homeschool students who have been um
designated homeschool and um in a universal learns environment starting next year, uh, will be, uh, enrolled into a private school, um, even if It's a small scale private school, and when that happens, when we worked with the AAA, that designation allows them not to be able to participate in AAA activities, um, anymore, so they can't go on being banned, they can't go be in the choir, they can't play baseball and so it's kind of this little nuanced segment there. And so, uh, we've worked with the AAA from the beginning on this. We've got
high agreement and what we're trying to do is allow a situation for these, these small numbers of students where they can uh choose to go where they want to school, go to school, and if that school doesn't have AAA activities, uh, they're smaller in nature, then they would have the ability to go to the local public school, uh, and still participate in those activities. And so with that transition, we want to make sure that the funding is correct and so uh that's where we've made sure the working is correct so that the the 16 Foundation funding follows the student to
the, 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, it's, it's a land of Opportunity Bill, it's it's school choice bill empowering parents to be able to send their, 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, um, uh, and so talking to the, um, when we talked to AAA, we've got high agreement when we've talked to superintendents, we've got high agreement. They
actually love the idea to be able to have these students on campus, um, and so just By nature, these families have made a decision to go to a different school, but here's a chance for those students can, they can engage with them back on the public schools in a positive way. So it's, we've got high agreement in lots of areas on this. And so, um, so to the fiscal impact, and I think that's why we we held to come back today. So the fiscal impact, what, 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, the, the formula was taking All, all of the students kind of in the worst case scenario, all the students that um might participate in this and saying that um 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, 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,
in band and choir and baseball or whatever at a local public school. If all those ifs, ifs happen. Then this is the fiscal impact. And so I, I think it's, it's clear that that's probably most likely not going to happen, um,
and it's a handful of students, but Mr. Rogers, would you describe maybe kind of how the fiscal impact came about. So, yeah, as
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
53:21
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 school if they're already in a private school that offers that uh athletic, they can't go to the athletics, 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 fiscal impact. And since we have to go through all that, we have to make sure that we are looking at the worst case scenario that 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'll have to show that on the fiscal impact because that is the worst case scenario.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
54:07
And we can pause there and and take any
questions, um, Mr. Chair, however you'd like to proceed. Representative that Garner, you
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
54:17
recognize her question. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Remind me about the class situation, if it's a, if it's an
activity after school. They don't have to take an academic and not an academic class if it does happen, remind me how
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
54:31
that works you're exactly right. You're on the right train of thought. So, so, um, some activities are a designated
class in the normal class schedule, uh, in, uh, yeah, bands usually the kind of the larger activities, um, basketball band, those are a class period. And so, uh, 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 um, debate, um, and it may be an afterschool activity or club, and it's not, then they would have to enroll into an additional class, and
that's related to um insurance coverage and being an official student on campus. And so that's in the bill that's, that's required. OK, so just counts as
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
55:13
I'll make something up. I'm not sure on this, but um, debate, um, and it may be an afterschool activity or club, and it's not, then they would have to
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
55:24
enroll into an additional class, and that's related to um insurance coverage and being an official student on campus. And so that's in the bill that's, that's required. OK, so just counts insurance for the school, OK. Thanks.
Speaker 183
55:31
Represent painter you recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so let's just say that band is, is full,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
55:36
just the, the school have to kick somebody else out for
allowing this individual to come on. Great question, and thank you 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, um, it could be a disciplinary issue. If they have a concern with with overcrowding. If they have a concern, uh, whatsoever. They have full rights and privileges to deny. this, this opportunity. It's permissive language for the local school district.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
56:00
It 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 gonna allow
this, correct? OK. Are there additional questions about the committee? Representative
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
56:18
Gonzalezor and you recognize for question. Yes. Could you just in a nutshell, explain the last paragraph in the bill, lines, uh, it's, it's on page 2. Lines 27 to 35. OK, yes, yes, ma'am, this
is, this is what Representative Gardner was
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
56:35
referring to, so, um, when working with the AAA, this was an amendment that we
want to make sure this has to do with um the foundational funding but also about the insurance, so if it makes sure that um the example I would provide is that uh if, if a student wanted to participate in debate at the local public school and debate club debate class is, is not an official class. It's not in the regular scheduled um block schedule. or the class schedule, then they can still participate, but they
would still have to um uh enroll into a class period. So they would have to take an additional class if
they want to participate because that's what's, that's what triggers insurance coverage for that student and um and the details. Does that make sense what I'm saying? Yes, thank you.
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
57:29
Are there additional questions Represent Garner? Yes, I'm sorry. One more question. Um, what about fees? So
if they take an art class that. The school is providing.
Yes, art supplies, then does that student pay for those things,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
57:44
absolutely everything that would apply to a regular, regular enrolled public school student would apply to a private school student in this situation. So if they have additional fees, they got to pay them out of pocket just like any other student would. And, and I would also add to it, you know, a lot of these, the, the one reason for the rarity of, of how this impacts on a few students is they still have to make the teams and try out just like You'd have to try any other team
or um you know, earn their spot or whatever, so that's why it's a 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, if they can't make the basketball team, right? It's the same situ coaches still have the authority
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
58:27
that the art teachers sought 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, to the student as part of their. Public school that's why the foundational funding follows the student,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
58:43
the 16 foundation funding, yes, and that would cover everything from fees to facility charges to teachers to insurance, all those things. See 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? See Senator D's, would you like to
Speaker 19
59:04
close for your bill? Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
59:07
and thank you members I love the idea of helping these few students, um, participate in these activities. Um, 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 at this, this impacts, um, uh, average across the districts is about 2 students per district. That's, that's what we're talking about. There's about 2 students on average across all districts that that were homeschool students that participated in activities. 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 that I would appreciate a good vote.
Senator Des is closed for his bill. Is their emotional on the table? We have a motion to pass a discussion on that motion. See no discussion all in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations, Senator Ds, you've passed your bill. Thank you, members. Thank you committee. Bless you. Representative Vo, you are recognized. And I'll let you tell us what you're presenting. If you would please introduce yourself for the record. Danbo District 87.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:00:17
Um If we can go to House Bill 1806. Uh Mr. Greg did another fiscal
impact on, uh, The bill And I understand the bill is to 0 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 measurement that
was adopted. I can make that motion. We have a motion to expunge the amendment or discussion on that motion.
See no discussion. All in favor say aye. All pose. Congratulations, you've expunged the amendment. Now Representative. Vault you are recognized to present the new
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:00:59
amendment on 1806. Thank you. On page 2, line 5, we're deleting materials and substituting
materials if funding is available online 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 0 balance.
Or impact. I'm sorry, sir. Are the questions on the amendment Represent Garner, do you have a question as you like. See no questions. We have a motion to adopt the amendment. All in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations, you adopted the amendment. Now you recognize to
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:01:41
present 1806 as amended. Um It's a bill that I ran the other day, we passed it out of here. There was some questions, uh, on
the bill. We knew with the impact on the bill that we would try to get it to a 0 fiscal. Um So that we could get it passed through the. But we've already passed this bill out of here. And do for time. I
know there's a lot going on, sir. Uh, I'll close it like that. Are there questions for Representative
Vaugh? See no questions We do not have anyone signed up
to speak for against this bill. You say you're closed for the bill? Yes sir. What's the will of the committee? We have a motion to pass as admitted. Is there a
discussion on that motion? Repres Bastian McKenzie recognized. I don't make, I don't mean to make a discussion to slow us down. I do
have concerns, you know, 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, um, we shot down a really good public or school safety bill regarding panic buttons because
it was ostensibly going to write a vendor into code, um, we've done that in the past, um, it causes problems. It causes problems not only because it it ties the hands of our districts, um, but we also have to come back here year on year and the problems we've written. So with that, I'll be enough. Is there additional discussion on
that motion? See no additional discussion favor. Say aye. All opposed. Congratulations representative of all your bills passed as amended. All right. And then the other one is house Bill.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:03:25
And how I lost my paper. I'm sorry, sir, um. It's the very first one on the agenda. That's mine. 1719 Yes, 1719. Thank you, sir. uh, Dan bought District 87. You recognize.
Thank you. Um, 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 sit down with uh Representative Barker, and we thought that online. 30 through 33, that would be the best way to address. Um What's going on. And it would Say that if you're out for that 2 weeks of Christmas, it's not paid. Uh, for normally it's not a payday, 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 we're 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, their leave. And they don't get more leave when they come back. I hope I did a good job. You
did. Are there any questions from committee? Seeing none, no one is signed up to speak for against building anyone wish to speak for or against the bill. Representative,
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:05:07
you close and make a motion to pass. Uh, we have
a motion to pass uh discussion. I'll, I'll make discussion. I appreciate, remember I was one of the ones that had problems with it, uh, 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 thank you um, any other discussion on the motion?
Speaker 212
1:05:30
All those in favor say aye, all posed.
Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you, sir. Thank you Roberson Vau. Uh, now members without objection,
you're recognized by Sher McKenzie to present. House bill. 1874. Someone left an iPad down here,
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:05:50
um. Brit McKenzie, Rogers, Arkansas state representative. Um, Chairman, with your permission, I'd like to have representatives from uh ADE come to the table.
Yes, uh, Secretary Aliva, Ms. Sales Ford, whoever would like to join. If you would please introduce yourself and you recognized.
Jacob will leave, Department of Education. Um, ladies and gentlemen of the committee, I'm, I'm happy to bring to you today, um, House Bill 1874, um, so this is one of the unique committees of, of the house in that, um, we don't just meet for these 3 months, these 90 days, and then kind of turn into a pile of soot. We, we been painstaking time in the interim, going over
the adequacy process, um, as part of that, we have to look at, you know, the three main buckets in which we, we send money to our districts on a per-pupil basis. One of those buckets is our supplemental bucket, and for a long time, um, we've always, and I know probably everyone on this committee has been asked by someone in their community or another legislator. you know, we need to increase X, um, this is a portion of money that we moved out of adequacy that I think needs to um. Uh, embolden the, the big bet that we have made in the conservative or in the reforms that we have put forward to help student performance, um, I
Initially this came as a bill that I filed at the beginning of the 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, to
Speaker 138
1:07:19
let you explain some more if you'd like. So, um, thank you. We, we had a categorical in our budget to support school districts with professional learning,
Speaker 140
1:07:26
which I think Everybody in this committee would agree that anytime we can invest in our educators we wanna make sure we're giving them an
opportunity to hone their craft and, 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 in the school district receives that amount of dollars to do the professional
development. A lot of professional developments required um by codes where teachers have to annually do, um. Uh, mandatory reporting professional development or bloodborne 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, to use data to make data informed decisions and look at um Investing in professional development that works best for their districts. About $16.5 million 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 the 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 um. The professional learning communities process. So we were able to allocate additional
dollars to districts and then districts wrote professional development plans based on their data that work best for them. So what we're, uh, proposing or with the change in the languages before the committee to consider today is um codifying the practice, I guess that we've uh implemented uh this past year because we weren't able to secure a one provider to provide all these services and really move. it towards supporting districts with Les implementation and that could be helping support um
students with acceleration, making sure there's more expanded opportunities, training and advanced coursework, supporting their early learning environments, looking at increasing literacy scores and 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 22 additional things to add. So, um,
this is a companion to the funding bill that will the chairman will bring through that we have to vote on to to cement
adequacy and the rates that um we fund at the different um categorical submental and per people level. Um, the second part is kind of a dovetail off of what I just got done talking about on the dais up there is that um The secretary and his team have done Yeoman's work to work, in my opinion, and, and this is probably uh not appropriate to say, in contradiction of what the law states, um. Professional learning communities are is a copywritten term that a specific company gets to use, um, and they've done the, the, 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 this allows the agency to do what they're already doing, um, and I'm, you know, beyond being a 10th Amendment guy, I'm pretty, I'm pretty specific to, I like that our code reflects exactly the will of the. legislature, thus the will of the people. Um, the way it's currently written, even if we don't pass this bill, which I don't think there's going to 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, we adequately supplement and then and 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 how we can make this better, so, um, with that I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:11:33
I Gonzalez were you recognize for a question. Yes, I want to understand. Um, the, the, the money part.
So 16 million. Um, has been allotted in the past 16. 1,500,000 for professional development. So that will remain that that money will remain for professional development, but it would. um With $41 per student, um, but not in. But if teachers, teachers wouldn't be allowed to use. Solutions tree, there, there, um.
Their work with professional learning communities. I'm just trying to, I've got two questions and that's the first
one. 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, what it does is strike through the specific dollar amount and it says that set at the maximum of, I believe, um, that's the enacting language, so we don't have to go back and write that amount, um.
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 and specifically conscripting that that company to fulfill the needs of our professional development, so they can go through the RFP process as the, as ADE goes through and, and thinks about the way to reinvent the wheel after little notice the last time that they went sat down an RFP, um, they can still be a part of the process. They can still come in and compete and win bids. OK, follow up question.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:13:16
OK, 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, um, at the university, um, and it was not it, it, it does not, some of the components mirror what a good professional learning community would look like, but it was not, um, we didn't receive that from, you know, this particular vendor. So I just, wouldn't you agree that professional learning communities, um, there, 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 as ubiquitous term that's seeped into everything and, and you're right, and I've met with PLC captains, all of them in my district, um, it, it, it means
more than just the module or the widget that you have to sit down behind a computer and and do and then the train the trainers part, uh, it's, it is ubiquitous term that means everything. The US Patent Trade Office doesn't agree. That is a term that is copywritten and trademarked by one specific company. So I, I'll be it I get it, the ubiquity of the word is there, um, I like to read the law. I like to write specific law handed to these guys to 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. Thank you. Are there additional questions about the
committee? We do not have anyone who has signed up to speak for or against the bill, Representative McKenzie, would you like to close for your bill? I'm closed, um, committee. I
know this, uh, uh, thank you, secretary, um, 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 gonna help our students in performance. It's going to help our students in their
performance, so I'd appreciate a good vote. I make a motion to pass. By Sher McKenzie is closed for his bill with a motion to pass his discussion on that motion. See, no discussion. All in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations. I share you've passed your bill. Members with that objection, I'm going to yield the chair to Vice Chair McKenzie and present a couple bills starting with HB 1312.
I've I've been told by committee staff there is an amendment. Sorry, yes,
there is. So House Bill 1312 is what I'll be uh Keith Brooksta state Representative District 78. We look to House Bill 1312 which is uh the House version of the adequacy bill. And I've 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, uh,
Um, desire to move forward. It's very admirable. Uh, so the amendment is strictly is um is striking section 6 in the existing adequacy bill, uh, the only difference there is, is that is what is dealing with PLCs, uh, which McKenzie just passed a bill out relative to that which gives the department flexibility to utilize those funds that was currently in the statute and so we're just racing that from the statues, so I make a motion to adopt. Um,
have a motion to adopt on the table, any discussion on the
motion. All those in favor say aye. I posed. 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 gonna sneak away. Greg Rogers, Department of Education. You recognize. 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 puts in more time on the adequacy bill than just about anybody save our amazing um partners over at BLR, Julie Holt and Laurie, and the other folks, uh, so the adequately process,
as you know, is a very long and thorough detailed process. Many of you were here for uh the many months we came. At the end of October with a recommendation to increase funding, uh, the highest we've ever increased it, uh, we also looked at a number of ways to
continue to support our public schools, which is our mission uh within this committee and the state legislature to make sure that we are focusing on the students first and foremost, so that this bill originally reflected the recommendations that we made as a committee, um, we have had a couple of 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 takes our, it, it leaves the funding the same year two we do decrease the funding. Let me hear or please let me uh let this be heard very loud and clear. We are not decreasing funding to public schools. What we are doing is in year 2 where we're 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, uh, what we've heard from many schools and I've consulted with a, a large number
of them is that the process of paying for health insurance uh 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 2 of adequacy, we are pulling health insurance out and you see that within the bill, it clarifies the um 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, uh, 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 people we're just removing the health insurance out of it. Uh, so those are the, the primary uh functions of the primary details of the adequacy bill, we also are dealing with teachers' salary equalization, which has been discussed. in the process for a number of years of phasing that out. Uh, we have discussed very openly a 3 year phase out of teacher salary equalization because of the increase in uh loans funding to bring teachers up to $50,000 minimum, uh, and so this just
states the plan for doing that, which is your one at 185, year two at 100 and year 3 at 50. And with that, I'd be happy to take any
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:20:12
questions. Uh, Representative Meeks, you recognize her a question. Uh, thank you. Sounds like a good government efficiency bill, um, uh,
any potential savings that would, uh, come from us. kind of like 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 uh a number of schools, particularly some fairly large ones, I think, uh, 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, uh, them, uh, but I'll let Greg address that as well. Yes, it should make it easier
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
1:20:51
to go process because as you said earlier, the the insurance thing has been a big, 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,
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
1:21:21
you're recognized. Yeah, 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 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 gonna move that from that bucket to that bucket, so there's not gonna be any changes in that, just where it's paid from. OK, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Any other questions from committee? Uh, no one signed
up to speak for or against the bill. Pardon? Oh, I'm sorry, uh, Representative McGruder. recognized for a question.
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:22:07
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, uh, money being shifted, uh. Over, uh, no, we just had a bill to come before us in regards to the $41 a day, so how is that going to affect, uh, that aspect.
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
1:22:26
So the adequacy recommendation for the $41 is still there. They were talking about that $16.5 million that was above that professional development 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
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:22:42
to the schools. So they still won't have the monies for professional development in place. OK,
thank you. Mr. Again, no one signed up to speak 4 against building anyone like to speak for or against the bill. I see none. Trimming your clothes to recognize the clothes for your
bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I want to
just uh compliment this committee, uh, as well as the Senate committee again, the adequacy process is very long and drawn out one, and, and I will encourage, especially new members of this
committee as we move into the interim, uh, and we start looking at things like how do we modernize our funding approach represent Cozart has done a lot of work, is going to continue to do a lot more work on that as we move forward, uh, but, uh, just a reminder that this will be a very busy time as we move out of session, uh, for us to continue to keep our. com m it
ment to our public schools, which is to fund them and 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 to support our schools and to support our students, and with that, I make a motion to pass.
We have a motion due pass as amended. Oh, sorry, thank you. Uh, we have a motion to pass as amended on the table, um, is there any discussion on the motion? See none. All those in favor say aye. All
those opposed Congratulations, you passed your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Chair. Thank you committee. Mr. Chair, now with uh your uh discretion, I'm going to move to uh SB 90. 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, Miss Izzie Higginbotham. Did I get that correct? Um, Izzy is a member of our Lady Razorback team in Fayetteville. Um, she, uh, 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. Um, this last year she was named AP All-American Honorable Mention and then just a few days ago, she scored 6 points in the
women's college All-Star game. So would everyone help me join uh give her a warm Little Rock welcome. OK Thank you
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 uh thanks for recognizing her, Mr. Chairman. That's outstanding.
OK, members, so you're receiving the amendment. The amendment is basically just providing some clarifying language, uh, relative to, uh, 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. Uh, anyone like to speak? Is there any discussion on the motion, seeing none all those in favor say
aye, all those opposed. Congratulations, you're now able to present your
bill as amended. Members, thank you. So Senate bill, um, 90 as amended, really
is, is frankly a very simple bill. It's a good government transparency bill, we all know that, that the, um, the closest government of the people is, is generally the most effective one and, and I know a lot of folks on this committee have, have been very involved in School boards in the past, uh, 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 uh we have a number of school boards, frankly who do it very well, who have a, a very structured and identified
comment period. However, we have a number who don't, and um and that oftentimes serves to uh ignore some of the will of the com the community, especially parents and students and so uh the detail of this bill are very, very simple. Uh, it is just requiring that a 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, has to reside within the public school district has to be a parent legal guardian or person standing local parentis of a student enrolled in the district or can be someone that's employed by the district. Um, it's also putting limits on on the people who are coming to say that they can't make comment that Preish is the board of directors concerning a student or personnel matter that's before the director, the board of directors, uh, also allowing that the board of directors must put out a sign-in sheet and then
allow 3 minutes, a minimum of 3 minutes, and there are, there are time frames within the legislation that if uh if the public comment period exceeds 30 minutes, they can move those comment matter. 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, from testimony from folks who are signed up to speak for this bill, uh, is that allowing public comments or, or ensuring that our, our school boards uh
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, the, the school district. Money and would have escaped a lot of challenging situations you heard from, uh, you heard from uh Eli and Cash's moms, uh, 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, um, 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
Speaker 163
1:28:18
with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Uh, 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 of people who are signed up
to speak for the bill. stand corrected Um Uh, Audie, um, how do you pronounce your last name?
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:28:45
Alanbaugh, you're recognized. If you wouldn't mind just saying your name into
Speaker 244
1:29:01
the mic for the record, Audie Allen. 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 refused to let the patrons speak in the fall of 2019, I received a phone call from a parent in a rural 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 her an additional 100 yards on a. sidewalk that had such cracks that a fallen 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, Miss 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. 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 might 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 equipment 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 view. 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.
Do you mind just introducing yourself for the record and
Speaker 248
1:31:24
you'll be recognized. Um, my name is Courtney Rodan and I do work for Conduit News, but today I am here to speak. Sorry, let me find this as a parent of two public school kids. Um, since my oldest started kindergarten. I have been involved in the local schools, volunteering, serving in various PTO positions and substituting for 5 years. Through this experience,
I have first, 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 out of the 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 4-page questionnaire, at least 5 days prior to a school board meeting, just to request the opportunity to speak. Even then, there's no guarantee they will be allowed to address the board in the deadline follows before the meeting agenda is even released, so there's no chance to ever speak on India 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. Sorry, I get nervous. But the reality is, That challenging a publish 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. Uh, next we have a
Miss Missy Bosch. Once you get to the table, just introduce yourself and you may be recognized.
Speaker 250
1:34:26
Thank you, Missy Bosch. um. I've been fighting this along with Courtney Roan for quite a few years, um, we want to thank you for hearing from us, the constituents, but it's probably, um, Kind of weird that we're asking for public speech. our elected officials right now, um, 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.
Um, 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, um, 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 a enough of that stonewalling that we have to spend our personal dollars to 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-screen 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 ated 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, um, 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 signed for a loan. Many boards are trained by the ASBA, which is run by previous superintendents, so they trained 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 or 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, 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, 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 are, 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, um. 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
SB 90. Thank you. All right. Any questions from committee? Thank you for your testimony. And
Speaker 252
1:38:43
next we have uh Ms. Kim, Letty? Leading Uh, once you get to the table, just recognize or
just introduce yourself and you may be recognized. How are y'all? I'm Kimberly
Speaker 254
1:38:59
Leedy, um. 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 5 months ago when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down school board policies that attempted to restrict public comment. The court recognized that 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 recognize 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 as 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 trust. Them with their, sorry, 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 rushed 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 SB 90 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 worked together that in Arkansas, the people do rule. Thank you so much. I appreciate you. Thank you for your
testimony. Any questions from committee? See. Thank you. We have no one else signed up to speak for against the bill, uh, Chairman Brooks, you recognized clothes for your bill. Mr. Chair,
thank the committee and, and thank everyone who came to speak, uh, again, the, 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, it goes a long time, which, and I really appreciate that. I really appreciate the fact that we vet things very, very well, and 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'm close to make a
motion to pass as amended we have a motion to pass as.
on the table. Was there any discussion on the motion? Representative Gardner, you
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
1:44:04
recognize. Thank you. I just want to publicly say thank
you for the amendments and for listening to, um, my school board, which is already doing all of these things just to make
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:44:12
it a little bit better. So thank you. Uh, representative Nazarenko, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and uh Mr. Chairman, thank you
for bringing this and thank Senator English as well. Uh, luckily I'm in a, uh, a district where school boards are welcoming people. They understand that uh that the, as, 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, you know, 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? Uh 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. uh, Mr. Chair, with your, um, blessing, I'm going to run. Senate Bill 470. So allowed. Thank you.
Speaker 4
1:45:15
If the committee would give me the latitude to
pull it up real quick. All right, Keith Brooks in 78 Senate Bill 470 is
by our former colleague Senator Dotson. This is actually a pretty simple bill. So, uh, Senate Bill 470 is just dealing with uh online virtual assessments, so we currently have in statute the authority for students to do
virtual assessments. However, there's a requirement that uh an adult be in the room now, the, the current virtual assessment set up. Allows for the virtual proctor which is uh uh an automated process to have multiple cameras on the students and so you already have uh the student being watched uh within the assessment process, just currently it's required that adults 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 I'd be happy to take any questions. Are there any questions from committee? Seeing none Anyone sign up?
No one has signed up to speak 4 against the bill. Is anyone wish to speak
for against the bill. See that as well, Chairman Brooks, you're recognized close for your bill. I'm closed for a bill. I'll make a motion to pass. Motion to pass on the table, uh, any discussion on
the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. I'll opposed. Congratulations, you've passed your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you committee. Um, being that the, the actual chair didn't give me a bill to go next, uh, first person to text wins, Representative Nazarenko. Senate Bill 515.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:47:25
Thank you Mr. Chair. Representative Nazranco District 4, Marion County and parts of Baxter County. Uh, today I bring you a Senate Bill 515. You can see by this uh Senate bill, uh, it's got a a ton of great sponsors. This is one that everybody wanted to jump on and once we're finished, you're probably gonna wish that you had jumped on it as well. Uh, 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 uh we're trying to make them do more things and we're not giving them any more time. We can only give them uh so much time in a day, but when we require more.
more things, it, it becomes harder for them to provide those great, uh, 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, there existing time, and then it's bringing a unit of uh veterans and their family to be included with the existing Arkansas history. So, uh, to kind of explain that a little bit more in the way that uh Senator Teddy talked about it in
committee and then on the, 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. Uh, we're not talking about the war story.
We're not talking about the war, uh, 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 takes uh allows us to use those stories and put them in front of the students that they. can, they can understand what
veterans and their families had to go through in order to, uh, to, to allow us the freedoms that
we have. I know Senator Des is very, uh, excuse me, Senator Pat Petty was very uh passionate about this, as am I. Uh, it's a great bill that's going to allow our veterans' stories not to be lost and that we can continue to keep them up again, focus is not on wars or anything like that or whether who won, who lost. It's about
their families, uh, with that, I'll stop and answer any questions anyone has.
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:49:28
Representative makes you recognize for a question. uh, thank you. uh, thank you for bringing the bill. I'm a veteran, as you know. Um, so I, I'm, I'm usually very cautious about passing bills that require things to be added in curriculum because those things can snowball very quickly, so, um, generally I'm very selective about kind of supporting these ideas, um, uh, not necessarily have any concerns here, but I'm just wondering about uh where the department's at on this trying to implement it if they've got any input or words of. for the committee on this one.
Speaker 138
1:50:05
You, Mr. Secretary, introduce yourself for the record and you recognize. Just Jacob Oliva, uh, Arkansas Department of Education.
Speaker 140
1:50:13
Uh, we have no concerns with the implementation of this requirement. In fact, um, Probably grateful because there's reality is that there's some real local stories and heroes that we need to capture and And it's not adding new requirements to the courses that's being taught but also but creating very good supplemental materials that teachers can pull from and, and I envision that um.
Maybe even like a partnership with PBS or something to produce some really high quality content like this, this is, this is such a win for the students in the state to learn. Um, directly firsthand from the, from current residents, so we, we'd be happy to support this initiative. Awesome. I, my, my hope is that it's already actually
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:50:54
happening out in schools to some, some degree, so, but, uh, thank you. Representative Gonzalez Worthy, you recognize her question. Yes, um.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:51:08
Thank you for your bill and this is. I'm just gonna 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, they would be part of the, a part
of this as well or mainly focusing on Arkansas veterans. I'm just reading the bill. I'm just asking.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:51:31
So great question. So they're on page 1 line 35. This
bill is focusing in on the history of Arkansas veterans, so
it would be more focused on Arkansas veterans. Uh, yes, definitely the DOE could, could talk about, you know, as they start to build it up, could, you know, as, as a, a child or a family says, hey, we are a veteran family, uh, but we were from, you know, He could we be included, uh, I could see that, you know, to the, to the um 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, uh, through the Medal of Honor Foundation, they have
actually something that I want to bring to the committee, uh, when the time is right and ISP would be a perfect spot, but they take stories of veterans Medal of Honor, uh. Recipients, they're not called, uh, 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, uh, that they make it out there. So just like your question, could this include other uh veteran, 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, there's a there's a, 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 uh uh up as well. Donovan was from, you know, right here in this area in Little Rock. So, uh, another one where we've got tons and tons of veteran stories, uh, of our, you know, local veterans, so, um, but thank you
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:53:09
very much for that question. Represent Brown, 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 um. I forget what it's called.
Speaker 110
1:53:29
Living History, any other, their histories I I. I've got one up there, so I was curious. It's a great story. That's
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:53:34
a great, great question. Now this, just to be clear, I didn't come up with this. This
isn't my idea. Uh, I was happy to sign on to it, but Senator Pet, Senator Petty, and this comes from a a veteran that he met uh 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, uh, those veterans, he realized they have stories that our students will never know unless we present it to him, unless we bring it to them, and they don't know what those families, our students, you know, that aren't familiar, they, 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, uh, a place for the DOE
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:54:15
to be looking at, uh, I think this puts a real human face
on our on our soldiers, our war fighters, um. And I, I think it's important. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
1:54:23
Perpresent McGruder, you recognize for a question. Thank
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:54:30
you, Mr. Chair. About the concept of this bill, uh, I'm trying to get a better uh vision on how we plan on implementing this and uh. Elementary schools and we're saying for one full semester at every secondary school.
Uh, this is a course credit. I'm just trying to get a better understanding, especially at the elementary level, uh, where the rigor is so high, uh, we're trying to make sure students are on task and learning, uh, all of the things that are necessary to especially to get to the 3rd grade and pass it uh test so they can move on to the 4th grade because that's where retaining students. So can you please explain it to me how we're going to implement this at an elementary school level. You make great, great
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:55:09
question, and as I, uh, I met with uh Secretary Oliva early
on in, in our session to bring him the information that I had. Experience with with that Medal of Honor Foundation, and they have curriculum that 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, uh, if you look there in the, uh, in the actual, um. Description it talks about just a unit, uh, of, of that military history or that, 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, in a great video or it could be in something, a worksheet that they're working through, uh, learning something. I could even see those personal experiences where they're, uh, you know, children at that grade, uh, 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 which, whatever that was, just so they can see a different
aspect of life that they may not have ever
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:56:14
even thought of. I I, I understand my concern is
more if we're saying from kindergarten. All way through 6th grade, uh, we don't want the video to be redundant, of course, but, uh, implementing something like that. At the kindergarten level, uh, it's it's really what I'm thinking about kindergarten and first grade because I know The, the rigor that's required for them to make sure they're getting on, on a grade level, uh, and so we're saying maybe a book or something along those lines. And, and what it actually looks like, you know, I would
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:56:47
have to just be guessing like you. I'm sure I'm have, I
have faith in DOE that as they start to develop it, uh, and working with the different division, the different uh districts because each, 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 coloring book, workbook, video, or something an interactive, you know, piece. I have faith that they'll come up with something that will definitely draw that, uh, draw that attention to those, those children at, at varying ages, uh, and be able to gain something that's meaningful out of it.
Thank you. See no additional questions. We do not have anyone sign up to speak for or against this bill wouldn't like to speak for against the bill. See no represent
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:57:30
Nazarenka, would you like to close for your bill? Uh, uh, so just as a summary, I think this is a great bill where we're able to show, uh, folks that are never have never been exposed, there's 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 uh in a way that's meaningful to those students where they can walk away and understand. what different family life was, was, uh, was experienced in it for, for someone different. Uh, with that, I make a motion to pass and I ask for a good vote and I'm closed. Represent Nazarenko is closed for SB's 5:15. We have a
motion to pass on the table. Uh, I'll offer just a little bit of discussion just wanna say thank you representative for bringing this bill. Uh, you mentioned the story of someone like Adam
Brown. uh, we've got a number of Arkansas heroes who who have amazing stories. I've actually got a couple of neighbors who served with uh Mr. Brown and uh I've got another neighbor who uh whose story is part of his story is um detail on
the movie. all the outposts, uh, from combat Outpost Keating of a battle in 2009 or 2009 in Afghanistan, some true heroism of Arkansans and I love that that we are looking to tell their
stories more broadly and the stories of their families, uh, because it's a true sacrifice. So thank you for
bringing this bill, and I look forward to supporting it. See no initial discussion. All
in favor say aye aye, all opposed. Congratulations representing you Pastor Bill. Thank you, members, we're gonna move on to one final bill for this morning before we adjourn. Have a Senate bill too if we get to it. Uh, so, uh, we're gonna move to House Bill 1945 representative McCollum.
Representative Austin McCollum
Unverified
1:59:31
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you committee. So I have House Bill 1945, um, that I wanted to run today. The reason I'm motivated. Um, to present this bill to y'all because I think we're actually solving for a number of issues 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, 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 um 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, um. You know, in the session, something to do with bullying or just the bad toxic environment for whatever reason, the student's having a hard time, um, but you're, your, your school that you attend is, is not rated F. So what are your options? Well, if you have the
means, private school's an option, um. If the charter school scenario makes sense, that could be an option, assuming that, you know, the way the charter, um, serves the student is good for that student, um, or you can even transfer outside of your districts, 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. Um, the eligibility to do just
that, um, the example that I referenced earlier, um, came from actually your former colleague and longtime member of this committee, Grant Hodges was telling me where he was picking, uh, 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. Uh, 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, you know, school that made sense to
commute to work and uh maybe even why we moved here, but also some of the community that they had and their relationships they have with the teachers there. So that's kind of what we're getting at here and the the type of problems we're trying to solve for, um. I know sometimes with these types of changes there's questions about uh implement 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, um, giving answers about implementation Mr.
Secretary, if you would please introduce yourself for the record, then you recognize. Jacob Oliva, Department
Speaker 140
2:02:17
of Education. If, if I was to just say, uh, for implementation, I think a lot of the questions we get from school districts or comments is one local school districts that have to adopt the board policy on how they're going to handle those kind of in district transfers, but to the bill outlines and defines capacity, which is a has been a challenge that we hear across multiple school districts because they,
we hear from a lot of our, our school districts that want to accommodate families and requests, but also have to make sure they have room because they don't. want to be out of compliance with, with the standards violation for not meeting teacher, um, student ratios or, or configurations, so, um, the, there's a capacity definition. That, um, in a, in a, in a line that says the school district could actually uh 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 um. 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 uh support districts with developing local policies for implementation. Thank you and yeah, just
Representative Austin McCollum
Unverified
2:03:27
uh piggyback on 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 um there's more transparency for everyone involved in that process. Happy to take any questions.
Speaker 280
2:03:41
Are there questions from the committee? Let's say uh Motion at a
proper time. See 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 to do pass. Is there any discussion on that motion? Vice Chair McKenzie, you recognize. I just want
to drive home the point that Secretary Levy made in this bill. I know it's gone through some changes and machinations and it's it's an analog, it's not a great one, but we have a big problem right
now in North of Arkansas about uh wastewater and then how we start developing for the future to build to a critical mass. The absence and what the 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 Biton 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. See no additional discussion. All in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations, Streson McCollum, you've passed your bill. Members, um, Represent Barnett, are you ready to run 1966. OK, we will hear one more bill before we adjourn.
Represent Barnett, you recognize if you would please introduce yourself for the record, you recognize present
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:05:38
House Bill 1966. All right. Thank you, Chair. Hello fellow committee members. I'm Lincoln Barnett. I
represent, um, District 63. Um, 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 bussed or transported 45 to 50+ miles round trip for school each day. House
Bill 1966 seeks to provide rural communities with the former within a. formally 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 For 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 school 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, etc. House Bill 1966 creates a means for our 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. And 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 uh 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. Represent
makes you recognize for a question. Uh, just, just curious, uh, no,
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
2:09:21
no problems with the bill. Uh, is this happening in your
community that someone's trying to set up a school. I'm just curious.
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:09:29
Um, if this bill were to be passed, there is, there are communities within my district that would um Definitely be interested. All right, thank you. I share my kids
you recognize, um. Thank you for bringing this bill. I, I'm intrigued by it. I'm just trying to figure out, so currently a district can request the satellite campus or
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:09:48
additional school. So, House Bill 66 would allow for That community, so.
And I'll give an example, um. Let's say the city of. Leaves was consolidated into the um Tree School District. Some years ago, those children are now bussed 50+ miles round trip each day for school. Uh, the city has facilities that could be used for either a elementary school or a satellite campus of an existing school within that district and so this
bill will allow for that, uh, municipality. To make an appeal to that local school board to say, hey, you know, we would like to alleviate our children, let's say kindergarten through 3rd grade from having to endure those 50+ mile bus rides every day. Um, 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, and that's what I read and I had the 80. Fact, fact checker that's why I'm intrigued.
I kind of like the idea. The only thing that like, if you could answer this, then I'll, I'll be good is, could there be a situation where a town, part of a consolidated um school district because we really want a satellite and the school district's like, well, we can't, we can't afford it, whatever logistical obstruction they put in the way. So yes, is there a way that that city could go around the district to go to the state school board and
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:11:27
say we want this. No. OK. So this requires that a partnership be established between the the municipality and the
school district before it goes to ADE. So no, there's no going around the other entity. Represent Barnett and and maybe maybe more question for the department how what, what is different in
this and what the current practice already is, it's already in statute that's allowed, is it, does this differ in any way that may I say may be
a department question if um this saw Ford or Secretary Oliva could, could come
Speaker 292
2:12:12
to the table. Courtney Salas forge, the Department of Education, um, so the way I read the law, there's nothing in the way
Speaker 293
2:12:18
I read your bill, there's nothing in law now that would prevent any particular group from making a request to a, to a school district board of directors, um, 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, I'm not aware
of anything in conflict. So Barnett, and again, I, I agree with Fusser McKenzie. I I think it's a very intriguing idea. I'm just trying to get my mind around how this changes
Speaker 295
2:12:48
what can already be done. OK. Um I don't know. I don't see anything in code that says that it can't be done, but
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:12:55
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
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:13:11
Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just had a logistics question and maybe you already addressed it and I didn't catch it. What, uh, what would be the logistics on this? How would, how would, would you have a separate, um. Separate uh teachers or with the teachers from the main school come and teach throughout the
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:13:34
day. So logistically, that will be up to the 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 and public elementary school that's 50+ miles away from their home. That school district can decide that we're going to pull 3 public school teachers. From our existing elementary school to service the 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 grade or whether
they teach a multi-grade level classroom. Um, just to, just a couple more
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:14:37
questions, so, um, like, uh, with the school district. Be responsible for the the maintenance and upkeep of the facility that the city's providing for the school, um.
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:14:50
Yeah, so. There's a provision in the bill that allows for uh in-kind contribution agreement to be developed between the municipality and the school district and so that could either be a shared responsibility or um. 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 and say that, but that mutual agreement, um. 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
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:15:29
be some flexibility they just have to negotiate their own terms and as far as cafeteria services and all of that. Thank you.
Representative Austin McCollum
Unverified
2:15:41
Description column you recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, 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 sounds like. Um, I was gonna ask for some more examples because you said that and you've given those examples. I like. Uh, the idea of being able to utilize existing resources seems enabling in that regard, um.
In 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. Um In some type of learning capacity, so I like that part. Do you, I think what I heard is this isn't necessarily in conflict from current practices. So do you view, um, 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 some similar current practice going
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:16:49
on presently aware of any district in which this is taking place. Um So, you know,
that's why I feel the need to codify it. OK. Thank you. Grab some painter you recognize. Thank
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:17:00
you, Mr. Chair. I'm all for this bill. I'm, 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, uh, districts are having to reach out. I know we talked about 30,
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:17:14
50 miles, but is that prea? I don't know the average as it relates
to statewide. I know there have been some, some groups to look into that, um. I can speak to one community within my district that I know it's at least 50, um, plus round trip, um, 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, you
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:17:46
know, 60+ mile round trip. Well, I again, I, I support this bill and I appreciate you bringing this because I think that's hopefully that'll
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:17:57
help the delta in some schools. Mayberry, do you have a question? Thank you, Mr. Chair. um, I. I absolutely see the need that you're trying to, uh, address here, you know, when we had
to consolidate the schools 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, um, grow again. I guess my question is, um, 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. It's there. I didn't want to, um, no,
Speaker 293
2:18:41
so there's nothing in law or rules that requires any school to have, um, a certain number of students. There are
provisions that if a school, um, district has less than 350, you know, then there's certain things that have to go on, but not to any particular school. That would be completely up
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:19:00
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 that decision of whether or not they want to enter into
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:19:12
that partnership, OK? And then my, my other question deals more with the facility and the construction and, 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, I, I don't know, but just some other building I'm sure there's gonna have to be, um, some updates to it, uh, whatever facility they might have and will they be able to make use of, um, construction funding from the state to do that. I mean, how I, I'm just trying to look at how is that mesh together. Well, I'm not sure about the use of
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:19:51
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 um academic learning in classroom space. Yeah, and so, of course, the district could
Speaker 293
2:20:14
use any of its own funding for, for facilities, but then, um, also the district would be eligible for state
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:20:23
partnership funding, as long as it meets all those requirements. If it's owned by the city though, would they, would the city have to then let it be owned by the, the school district. Because
Speaker 293
2:20:34
now we're kind of mingling 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 that's more for construction and.
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:20:55
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 most likely be willing to donate that building for that cause, um, in most cases with the 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 excessive buildings that they're not necessarily utilizing all the time. They may utilize it partly for summer, uh, 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 provisions in this bill, um. In establishing those in-kind contribution agreements.
Speaker 80
2:21:57
See no additional questions. I think we have
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
2:22:00
one. I'm sorry. Oh, Representative Andrews. Thank you, Mr. Chair. um, just one real quick question here. I, I, I have a. town in my district that I could see where this could work, um, but. The former school district that was there of course consolidated and when the school district gave the consolidated closure gave the buildings back to the city they were 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
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:22:35
you get around that? Um, I think that would require. The District that implemented that clause to Um, be willing to let out of that clause or agreement, um. I am familiar with those types of agreements, um, that have resulted in 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 re-establishing a school campus within that community, I think they would be willing to, um, pull back on that stipulation, and I think that can be drawn up and handled between the two entities. See no additional questions we do not have anyone signed up to speak for
or against this bill. Represent Barnett, would you like to close for your bill?
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:23:31
Yes, again, this bill, um, promotes school choice within our public education system and it provides the choice option to rule many rural communities who otherwise have no um 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 um. Motion do pass. Barnett has closed for his bill. We have a motion to pass on the table. Is
there a discussion on the motion, see no discussion, all favor say aye. All of us. Congratulations, Representative
Barnett. You have passed your bill, uh, 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
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
Speaker 9
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
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
Speaker 19
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