Education Committee- House
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Transcript
1 document
Bills discussed (51)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1561
Act 473
· 4 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021. HB1561 Painter TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. | Painter | Notification that HB1561 is now Act 473 |
|
SB303
Act 644
· 4 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…ICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION IN ARKANSAS. 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 |
|
HB1598
Act 474
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1598 Brooks TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A NEW ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS; … | Brooks | Notification that HB1598 is now Act 474 |
|
HB1062
Act 565
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…UBLIC SCHOOLS FROM SCHOOL RATINGS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL YEARS. HB1062 R. Scott TO CREATE THE TEACHER AND STUDENT PROTECTION ACT O…”
|
TO CREATE THE TEACHER AND STUDENT PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1062 is now Act 565 |
|
HB1495
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…THE TEACHER AND STUDENT PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. Richardson HB1495 Hawk CONCERNING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT'S PERMANENT SCHOO…”
|
CONCERNING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT'S PERMANENT SCHOOL RECORD. | Hawk | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1545
Act 501
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…aught Rep. Hope Duke REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1545 K. Brown TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSI…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021. | K. Brown | Notification that HB1545 is now Act 501 |
|
HB1571
Act 502
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…STABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. HB1571 Ray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM ACT. HB1598…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM ACT. | Ray | Notification that HB1571 is now Act 502 |
|
HB1672
Act 800
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ERNING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT'S PERMANENT SCHOOL RECORD. HB1672 McCollum TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC … | McCollum | Notification that HB1672 is now Act 800 |
|
HB1705
Act 478
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “AGENDA (Revised 3/12/25 @ 4:50 PM) Moved HB1705 to Regular Agenda House Committee on Education Thursday, Ma…”
|
TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS INFLUENCED … | Duke | Notification that HB1705 is now Act 478 |
|
SB317
Act 351
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…Y AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. SB317 B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION F…”
|
TO PROHIBIT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES WITH A PROHIBITED … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB317 is now Act 351 |
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HB1017
Act 904
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…CHANCE PROGRAM ACT. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…O PAY FOR INCURRED COSTS FOR APPROVED PAID MATERNITY LEAVE. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…LS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS. Page 2 of 4 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WITH A WEARABLE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM DEVICE. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…EPAYMENT AMOUNTS UNDER THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TING AND FUTURE ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN ACCOUNT. HB1030 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENF…”
|
TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION IN YOUTH … | T. Shephard | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1031
· 1 mention in agenda
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. |
|
HB1051
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…IC SCHOOLS ADDRESSES CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES FACING STUDENTS. HB1051 Andrews TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL START DATE REQUIREMENTS.…”
|
TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL START DATE REQUIREMENTS. | Andrews | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1081
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…Andrews TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL START DATE REQUIREMENTS. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…NT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES. HB1139 B. McKenzie TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. HB11…”
|
TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. | B. McKenzie | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1197
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO WHICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SUBJECT. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…THE HOURS WHEN AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN DECLARED. 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. |
|
HB1242
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…NT AT EACH MEETING OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 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. |
|
HB1283
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…DITIONAL CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING. HB1283 J. Mayberry TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECON…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO INCLUDE DIGITAL MEDIA STANDARDS IN … | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1312
Act 909
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ES STANDARDS. PENDING FISCAL IMPACT Number Sponsor Subtitle 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 |
|
HB1457
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TAX LEVIED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. HB1457 L. Johnson TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT DATA AND OTH…”
|
TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL … | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1482
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…D INTENDS TO COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL COSTS WITH STATE FUNDING. 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. |
|
HB1483
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE LIBRARY MEDIA STANDARDS. HB1483 Gramlich TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE STATE FUN…”
|
TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE STATE FUNDS TO PAY FOR AN ADULT … | Gramlich | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1484
Act 910
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION IS PROVIDED. HB1484 Gramlich TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAI…”
|
TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAIN IN A COURSE CREDIT RECOVERY … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1484 is now Act 910 |
|
HB1490
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. Page 3 of 4 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…S A STUDENT MAY OBTAIN IN A COURSE CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A GED TEST AND RECEIVES A GED. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…RT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TRANSPORTATION TO CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL. 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. |
|
HB1580
Act 801
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…N PROGRAM USING A UNIFORM STATEWIDE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM. HB1580 Gramlich TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION…”
|
TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1580 is now Act 801 |
|
HB1640
Act 476
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…estrictions designating areas as 'Members and Staff Only'. HB1640 Duke TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ADMINISTRATOR" AS IT RELAT…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ADMINISTRATOR" AS IT RELATES TO ETHICAL GUIDELINES AND PROHIBITIONS; AND … | Duke | Notification that HB1640 is now Act 476 |
|
HB1642
Act 916
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ONS ON EMPLOYMENT SPECIFIC TO PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. HB1642 Gramlich TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING A SCHOOL RATING; AND TO ENSURE A STUDENT … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1642 is now Act 916 |
|
HB1646
Act 917
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…OOL-LEVEL GRADUATION RATE IF THE STUDENT PASSES A GED TEST. HB1646 McGrew TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED COMPARTMENTS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA. | McGrew | Notification that HB1646 is now Act 917 |
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HB1684
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…IALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED ROOMS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA. HB1684 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PARENTS AND TEACHERS HELPING STUDEN…”
|
TO CREATE THE PARENTS AND TEACHERS HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED (PATHS) ACT. | McAlindon | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1697
Act 477
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ICULUM AT STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. HB1697 Joey Carr TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF TITLE 6 AND TITLE 19 OF TH…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF TITLE 6 AND TITLE 19 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING PROVISIONAL … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1697 is now Act 477 |
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HB1709
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. 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. |
|
HB1710
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ELORS IN THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM. 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
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…MOTIONAL MATERIAL, OR COMMUNICATION DIRECTED TO THE PUBLIC. 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 |
|
HB1724
Act 503
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…EAVE DAYS APPROVED BY A SCHOOL THAT OFFERS MATERNITY LEAVE. HB1724 B. McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS; AND … | B. McKenzie | Notification that HB1724 is now Act 503 |
|
HB1727
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…N ELECTION OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS HELD. 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 |
|
HB1728
Act 906
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…McGruder TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025. HB1728 Ennett TO REQUIRE REPORTING ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS RECEI…”
|
TO REQUIRE REPORTING ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS RECEIVING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A DISABILITY AT INSTITUTIONS … | Ennett | Notification that HB1728 is now Act 906 |
|
HB1733
Act 504
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…YPES OF ASSESSMENTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY PROVIDE TO STUDENTS. HB1733 Joey Carr TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE…”
|
TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS BETTER CHANCE PROGRAM ACT. | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1733 is now Act 504 |
|
SB135
Act 399
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SCHOOL IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN A HOME SCHOOL. SB135 J. Boyd TO AMEND ELECTION REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF AN UN…”
|
TO AMEND ELECTION REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF AN UNCHANGED RATE OF AN ANNUAL AD … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB135 is now Act 399 |
|
SB183
Act 724
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…D THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATION CHARTER SCHOOLS. 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 |
|
SB223
Act 400
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…UNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. SB223 M. Johnson TO CREATE THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS…”
|
TO CREATE THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT OF 2025. | M. Johnson | Notification that SB223 is now Act 400 |
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Gracious God, you're faithful and forgiving. Thank you for allowing us to
gather to do, uh, the business of the people of the state of Arkansas. I pray that we would have hearts that are open and wise this morning guy that we would seek first your kingdom in all things God in a way so we can help others, uh, and to make ourselves uh better servants of you in all things that we do. Lord bless, uh, the students and teachers and families of our state, God may, the things that we do, uh, bring honor to you most of all it's the name of Christ we pray. Amen. Our members um
Sent out the list of of what we're gonna be hearing just a little bit of an update, uh, so we are going to hear 1545 this morning, 1561, 1598, 1062. 303 and 317 and without objection I'm gonna go a little bit out of order so we can handle folks who are here. uh, first I'm going to recognize Representative Painter for HB 1561, if you would please introduce yourself to the record and you recognized to present your bill.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:20
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative Stetson Painter, District 3, Baxter and Fulton County. Um, I first want to start off in saying, I want to thank every university, uh, throughout the state that took time and worked with me on this bill, um, with their input, I don't think we could have got where we're at today, and they did a very good job. Uh, they, I gave them my intent. They understood it, wanted to work together, and we got to a great bill. I also want to thank the Attorney General's
office, uh, for working with me on this and making sure I'm straight-laced and legal, so I appreciate that. HB 1561. Is a is a bill that's a comprehensive attempt to protect our institutions from foreign adversaries whose interests are not aligned with ours. It addresses the following key areas disclosure of past gifts valued at 250K or more since 2019. Disclosure of future gifts valued at 250K or more disclosure of past contracts
valued at 250K or more since 2019. Disclosure of future contracts valued at 2500 or more. Investigate process by the Inspector General. to address the alleged violations of failure to comply with one through 4 above the 4 things that I talked about just a minute ago. Prohibit prohibit prohibits uh the culture exchange agreements with foreign adversary countries and reporting obligations, screening processes for higher institutions with federal research expenditures over $10 million. For adversary tribal
monitoring program restrictions reporting on travel with foreign adversaries, restrictions on partnerships with foreign adversary countries, um, imposes criminal penalties for misappropriation of trade secrets in electoral property by foreign adversaries. And review all software hosted operator or owned by a foreign adversary or country, plan to eliminate reliance on such software and restrictions on future use of contracts and purpose. Where this came from a few years ago. Uh, in my previous life when I was working in the first
district in the Delta. We had some research technology stolen out of a state. Uh, we caught some folks with some seed technology at the Little Rock Airport, um, and so the universities are working with them and talking with them really would like for us uh to not own a mirror what the federal level does and what they got to report but that state statute 2 and also put some stiffer penalties in research theft and intellectual, and that's what they did. And like I said again, they, they worked with They, they, as far as I know as of today, they like this bill.
There's no opposition to the bill, and I'd be glad to take any
questions. Represent painters presented the bill or the questions from the committee. See no questions. We do not have anyone signed up to speak for or against the bill. Is there anyone you'd like to speak for against the bill. Seeing no represent
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
4:13
painter, would you like to close for your bill? And I, I want to make, I appreciate that, Mr. Chair, and I
will. This is against no, not the people of those countries. It's against the government that set up traps with those people that come over here. And so again, it's just putting our
institutions in a safer spot and aligning with the federal level and other states that do this. And actually, we would actually be one of only I think 2 or 3 that. actually doing this, leading the charge. So again, I like to see Arkansas on the top 3 with this bill if it passes, we'll be there. So again, I appreciate a good vote and as a member of this committee, have the privilege to make my own motion, so motion to pass. Represent painter is closed for
his bill with a motion to do pass. Is there any discussion on the motion, seeing none all favor sayI all opposed. Congratulations, Pa, your bill
is passed. I'm going to yield the chair now to former chair Cozart. Well I present a bill, uh, HB 1598. His amendment, OK. I believe we have an amendment
on this bill, so she's gonna pass that out right now, Mr. Chair, if I could, I would like to invite, uh, Secretary
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
5:36
Jacob Oliver to come to the table with me, Bill.
Speaker 27
5:43
If y'all would you go ahead and rip uh recognize yourself for the record. I'm Keith Brooks, House District 78. Good morning, Jacob
Aliva, Department of Education. Good to have you here, Mr. Secretary, and again as Cha Cozart said staff is passing out an amendment on this and so
first I'd like to uh go ahead and, and, uh, move for adoption of the amendment. This is just clarifying some language on the second page of the bill, uh, which we'll get into in just a moment and I'll make a
Speaker 31
6:10
motion to pass on the amendment. We have a motion to move for the adoption of the amendment. Any discussion on that motion, seeing none, all
in favor say aye. Motion has Thank you. So now we're going to present House Bill 1598 as amended and I'm gonna, this is relative to our school rating systems. Obviously we know that we're moving to a new, um,
moving to a new testing format and so uh it's important to look at, uh, what our school ratings are, and we also had a little bit of a pause around COVID time and so the department has uh has indicated it would be good to, to make sure that we have a very consistent vision moving forward. I'm gonna let Secretary Oliva, uh, deal with
Speaker 33
6:49
some of the details here. Sure. So thank you, Representative Brooks, and thank you for bringing forth this proposal, um, this committee is very well aware that over the past few years we've done a lot of work to update our standards and update our assessments, we
transitioned from a statewide assessment called ACT aspire to a new assessment that was, um, given to our students for the first time last spring called the Atlas Assessment, the Arkansas Teaching, learning and assessment System. So we're able to get some initial baseline scores that concordance scores start. ro ll ing out with that data and that information means based on the new criteria that we set forth as a state. Um, that data or the assessment data that we get in um when we administer assessments is the biggest prior bucket of
information that we use when determining school grades and one of the things that we want to do is as we transition to a new assessment and maybe looking at updating our school grading formulas, make sure that we get it right. Current state law requires that we issue school grades based on that data by April, which we could do, but what we would like to do is just say, let's have a one year. we call it a hold harmless here. It's not uncommon for many states to do that when they transition to a new assessment, new accountability system to say, we've given that
information to the districts, they can still look at student performance. They can see how their schools did, but there's no real sense in calculating, aggregating a school grade and publishing that by April when we're gonna have a new assessment of for current year that's issued this spring and then by this summer we'd be issuing grades again in a new format with new uh new assessment. and how we calculate learning gains from one year to the next. So what we're basically asking is, let's not publish school grades here in April. Let us
come finish going through the standard setting process on a new accountability system and roll that in in um for the 24, 25 school year we would issue school grades. We also want to make sure that we don't have any unintended consequences as um. We're giving districts school grades, so we have some language in there that if a school um grade goes down, there's an appeal process that we can go through the state to make sure that we got all the data right because we don't wanna, we wanna make sure we're giving the public accurate information and
um I, I think this is a very common sense approach to some major transitions that we've done in the state it's been very well received from the field and we, um, would be happy to answer any questions.
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
9:18
I, I, I think I remember seeing this in the bill, but that. What their rate is right now will pause for that year. It'll stay the same, is that correct? So right now, so we, we have the
Speaker 36
9:27
data, schools have that information, but I don't, uh, we don't wanna just
Speaker 33
9:31
change like give everybody a grade and say, oh, by the way, we're
changing that again because typically school grades, I, I think that's a great question. Typically school grades come out. Months earlier, but if, if we remember, we had to delay when we released data because it was a new assessment and they took another about we're probably about 6 months behind where we would have normally gave graces because we had to set new standards, set new cut scores. So at this point of the school year, it, it would just probably be confusing to people that issue a grade based on last year's data while we're getting ready to get a whole new round of data, OK. All right
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
10:06
Questions are Representative Garner, you recognize. Sorry, actually, I think you answered
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
10:10
my question and you may have to, uh, as long as the schools will have the data. That's the, that's the only question I had
about the bill. It just didn't, didn't look like they still they still have their
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
10:22
own available data, of course, and they can aggregate and utilize however they want to. This is just uh the metric of our reporting as a state. Are there any other questions from representatives?
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
10:31
All right, so ignore the questions we have. No one signed up. Is there anyone in the
audience like speak for or against the bill. Seeing none, said
Brooks, would you like clothes for your bill? Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm closed the bill. I'll make a motion to pass. We have a motion to pass. Is any discussion on as
amended, there's a discussion on the motion. Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Any opposed? No. Your motion has passed, your bill's
passed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you committee.
All right, thank you. So Cozart for sitting in for me. I, I do want to recognize a group that's just come in, uh, I, I, I odify data, correct? Awesome, some gentleman in the back want say thank y'all, I guess from all over Arkansas so thank y'all for being here. Uh, we would like to welcome to our committee. All right, members, uh, moving on, I'm gonna recognize again without objection, a little bit out of order recognize Senator Das represent Torres for SB 303.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
12:01
If you would please introduce yourself for the record and
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
12:15
you recognized to present your bill. Good morning. Representative Randy Torres
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
12:20
District 17. State Senator Tyler Dees District
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
12:24
35. OK. Uh, this bill, Senate Bill 303, proposes a law that would allow private school students to participate in their local
resident public school district or public charter schools in scholastic activities under certain conditions. If you will remember the General Assembly passed a law not long ago that allows homeschool students to do this very thing. This bill can be considered like a companion bill to now include private school students. What precipitated this? We have a small number of students that were homeschooled and able to participate in activities and now they're small homeschool co
op is going to sign up for Les and will no longer be allowed to be in band, play baseball, choir, and so forth. So what does this bill allow if a private school does not offer a particular extra curricular activities such as sports, fine arts, or band or choir. The student could participate in that activity at their local public school. There are conditions for this, and here they are, the private school student must live in the same district as the public school where they want to participate.
The activity must be one that falls under the rules of the Arkansas Activities Association. Which is the governing body for school activities. Uh, the school itself would need to choose to accept the student, the language in the bill says may permit, so the school has a choice. Uh, if the activity takes place outside of regular class period, the private school student must enroll in a non-academic class at the public school. This enrollment allows the
public school to receive partial state funding for the student, uh, the state's foundational dollars will follow the child, and that's 1/6 of the dollars. Uh, and this is also critical because it will meet the insurance needs of the school and the student. If they're enrolled. Why does this bill matter? It gives private school students more opportunities to engage in interscholastic activities. Public schools received some funding for allowing private school students to participate.
In addition, it gives public schools an opportunity to potentially recruit some of these students to become full-time students at a public school.
It helps students access programs at their private schools may not offer. With that, I'll open
Speaker 64
14:52
it up to Senator Dees for some additional. I appreciate it, Representative Torres. This
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
14:56
is, this really is a low impact um bill. We, we looked at scale, um, and working with the Department of Education and You know, when, when we passed the um to allow homeschool students to participate in in
activities, um, it's actually relatively small amount of kids and um some of these kids, even that some of those kids would no longer be eligible, and so that's what this bill aims to do is just give kids opportunities to participate in these activities. So, um, in, in across the state, there's only about 96 um uh districts that have any homeschool kids that participate in AAA activities and um and the average is about 5 students per school district and so this is really a low impact um
opportunity and what we're trying to do is if, if these kids are um, you know, all of a sudden in a post-lens world are now going to an accredited private school when they've just previously been homeschool students, uh, now this would allow them to go still be in the band and still be in choir. In fact, the majority of the students, um, that this affects our band and choir students according to what we're hearing, um, when we talk to the public school, um, we tried to We tried to uh to to structure it really, really in a positive way where We, we think it's actually
positive to the public school because they get a chance to get the funding, right? They get the funding to follow to the to the school, uh, they're covered on all insurance needs and all, all concerns there and then also it's permissive as Representative Torres said, if, if for whatever reason a a public school does not want to participate or there's a student they don't want to allow for whatever reason they have the ability to say no, it just doesn't work for us and so we try to give all the local control ability um for, for that situation and then for the family. that, that this could impact
positively, it's just if it makes sense if the family um has the ability to transport the student to the, the local public school, um, so they can make it to band practice, then, then here's an opportunity for that. So it's really just an option for kids, uh, again, we don't see this being a, a major impact across the state, uh, just a handful of kids, um, but for those kids it's, it's a pretty important big deal with that I think we'd be open for any questions. Represent Torres and
Speaker 68
17:02
Senator Ds have presented the bill and just a quick note of clarification on
this, uh, members as you see, this does have a fiscal impact on it, which means it will take all comments, questions, debate on the bill, uh, up until the very point of an actual motion voting on the motion, and then we'll hold it for vote until the end of the session. Uh, so there are questions from the committee,
Speaker 70
17:30
Representative Andrews, you recognize, Mr. Chair, um,
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
17:33
I, I like to build, um, is, will this allow? a child who's a private school to be an FFA at a public school.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
17:43
Um, I believe it could. FFA doesn't fall under the AAA, um, and so I, I, I believe that would be allowed today, but again, it'd be permissive based on the public schools policies, this, this only addresses um activities that are under the AAA, uh, so if FFA ever moves under AAA, then it definitely would. It probably won't, but, yes, OK, thank you. In
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
18:00
Represent Barnett, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. I
Speaker 72
18:05
just want to be clear in Making sure that I understand that, um,
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
18:18
These private school students will be subject to the same tryout requirements as others, OK. That's correct. 100% correct. In fact, I
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
18:24
think that's another reason why that's a great point because Represent Barnett, I, there's already a limiting factor, I think why this impacts a few amount of kids because it's the same standards, um, in fact, it just realistically if, if you're, if your student wasn't good enough to make the team or play the tuba well or, or whatever, then they probably wouldn't uh bother with.
Um, want to do this. So there's already the, the kind of whittling down of number of students this would impact, uh, in the same standards for coaches and decisions and tryouts and and all needed. Representative Duke, you recognize for a question.
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
19:03
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and my apologies. I may be asking some things that you had. I slipped in here just a few minutes ago. So, um, I do, as I'm
sure y'all we, I have one of the highest, if not the highest population in one of my districts in the state of, um, no, I'm sorry, this is not home school related, this is private school related, correct?
OK, so my question and, and if he could be leniency or if I need to hop back in the queue, just let me know, whichever one. OK, so can they do this now? Can
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
19:32
districts do this now without this law. No, so this is a AAA rule would not allow it, and it's because if a student's enrolled into an accredited school that can't also be enrolled into another accredited school, they could as homeschool students, but, but this is, you, you bring up a great point because um in our district, uh, uh, Farmington, uh, grab it, um, Silent Springs,
there's a lot, there's, there's a large amount of homeschool students. Now some of those students starting next year will be participating in accredited small co op private schools and so According to AAA rules, they wouldn't be allowed to participate in band anymore without this bill. OK. Make one. OK, just
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
20:08
wanted to make sure I don't want to be, take other members' time. So can they
pick and choose? So if I go to private school A and I want to go. Do basketball. At B at the public school in my
district, but then I want to do baseball season at the private school. Are they in or out on these extracurriculars or do they get to pick and choose this team's being successful because I mean, that's how it rolls a lot of times in sports, right? This team has been successful, but this sport is not as successful, so I want to go
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
20:44
basketball here, baseball there, great question. They're only option is the public school of their home residency. So in fact, that was intentional because we didn't want to create a recruiting. a situation where you live and
grab it, but Bentonville has a great basketball team and you could go play in Bentonville Public school. That's not an option. So your only options are participate in the home residency school, public school, or if you're, if your private school has a AAA activity, then you can participate in that. But if, if you don't have AAA activities, you can only go, it's only limited to the, the public school in which you live in. But if you have, if I go to private school. And
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
21:18
my resident school B has a great basketball team. And I want to be a part of that basketball team.
I can be a part of their basketball team and then go back to my private school A. And be part of
Speaker 92
21:32
their baseball team. OK, so they can pick and choose if they
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
21:37
offer that activity, yes. So they offer the activity they cannot
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
21:41
come into the public school. So maybe to your example if uh private school A offers basketball and a AAA basketball team. They can't, they don't have the option to go play at public high school AAA basketball
team. Because they're private school has that activity. OK, perfect.
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
21:56
Thank you. And then I think this may be my last question on this, um, again, I'm, my apologies
if you covered this. I'm so sorry, um, class space, because there are some of them, obviously not necessarily with the sports, but if there is a class space, sometimes they are because the team space, but if they have to add additional teacher or staffing, is that same type of rule, you don't have to do these if you. Yeah, again, it's
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
22:17
permissive, so the school gets to decide. Thank you very much. Would you agree that sometimes permissive
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
22:23
ends up being sh shows in the next session.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
22:27
It, it definitely could be, but it's, we intentionally made it May because of the capacity if there's an influx of which would be extremely rare according to the data, but if that happens, and there's 50 students that want to go to that public, that public school, the, the public school would allow be allowed to say no, this just doesn't work with our capacity constraints. Thank you and my questions are not necessarily indications I'm against the bill.
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
22:47
I just want to make sure I completely understand the bill because I, would you agree that there will be lots of public school people that will have questions.
About how this works, so to make sure we know all the details.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
23:01
I think it may be good to point when we've, when we've talked to Superintendents, uh, public school superintendents across the state, they actually like this bill because I think Representative Torres mentioned it as well because one, they get a chance to get the funding to follow, which is great, but 2, they get a chance to recruit is not a, not the phrase I want to use, but, but, but a chance to entertain and and woo these students a chance for to make them full-time public school students. Make them enjoy their, their
campus and their, their teachers and so that's why they love the opportunity to get to have those kids on
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
23:35
campus. Yeah, and, and I would echo that because of the relational equity that they're building with other students, so I think it's a healthy thing. Have you guys worked with
uh AAA sailor on this. Yes, sir. So AAA has been from the beginning,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
23:49
we've worked with it and it constructed the language and they are good with the bill. Representative Gonzalezworthy you recognize for question. Yes,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
24:00
thank you for your bill, and I know that you have the revenue impact here, but, um, within the, um, Uh, within the bill, you mentioned that that funding would follow the student along with their insurance. Is that, I didn't see anything about insurance or I'm, I'm it's so I have an insurance question. um,
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
24:25
yes. Well, when they enroll into a public school course. The
dollars follow the child, right? And those dollars then when they're enrolled the school's insurance can
cover them. Does that make sense? Because they're a student. And furthermore, the AAA
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
24:43
covers, um, catastrophic insurance on each student involved and so according to their policies and coverage, um, it's tied into each student that is enrolled into the public school. And so that's why that phrasing is, is there. So some activities are considered a class. If you're familiar with that process, so the larger activities typically
tend to be a class period band football, um, baseball, but some of the other activities are not debate, e-sports, um, bowling choir. I'm, I'm shooting from hip on those. But so since those are not considered class periods, if that's the only activity that the student wants to participate in, the, the bill requires them to to um enroll into another class so that they are covered and so the structure is there
Speaker 88
25:23
for funding and for insurance coverage. OK. Thank you. You bet. And it may be good to, on the fiscal
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
25:34
impact, you know, this is one of those that, um, you know, we kind of went back and forth with the number that was presented, frankly, I kind of disagree with, with the number. Um, this, this would represent a worst case scenario and in that worst case scenario I want to make sure I highlight this because um what that is saying, that number, that $700,000 number, I think there is, um, I think highly inflated of actuality because of this. What that is saying is that if there's a s ce na ri 0% of students that participate, I guess that might
participate and if just so happened. That all of those students Do not participate and learn, so they don't have an EFA account. Then this in all of those students. Want to participate in AAA activities in which They may or may not have activities in their school, so it's a lot of hypothesis and guesses, um, and I just want you to put your, your, your mind around that for a second. There's, there can't be a lot of students that are not getting the learned dollars and choosing
to pay tuition, uh, private school dollars out of pocket, and then also deciding, I think I'd like to participate in some AAA activities. There's a fraction of those students exist. However, in this assumption, it's kind of the worst case scenario assuming that That actually happens. Does that make sense what I'm, I hope that makes sense what I'm saying. I don't think it's, it's a very common reality that there's going to be a lot of students that say, um, We're not going to take uh Lear's dollars, but we'll pay out of pocket to go, go pay for
private school, and I'd like to also participate in these activities. So it's, it's a very slim, slim, um, uh, representative Barnett,
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
27:20
you recognized for a question. Yes, um, I like the, Idea of the funding. The 1/6 of the state foundation funding going to the public school, um, but I, I have a question around how that's going to be implemented. Um, let's say a child enrolls in a private
school in early fall and they want to play a sport that doesn't start until late fall or early spring. How do we ensure that those dollars get transferred
Speaker 72
27:49
or, you know, how, how does that work? Great question. So when working with
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
27:54
the department, uh, how this would structure through through the uh set up of the EFA accounts with there, there would be an option to um to choose to participate in the local public school and so that there'd be basically drop-down decision, hey, we would like to
participate in um in according to this rule right here and so it would be a choice
Speaker 117
28:18
on the EFA accounts. So they would need to make that at
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
28:21
the beginning of enrollment. Yes, and, and I believe it's by semester because that's how EFA accounts are paid out to the, to the account or to the student, and so it would
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
28:30
be by semester would be my understanding. OK, so if they Opt in at the beginning. Now let's say they do not make the team with those dollars have already been dispersed to the
public school and then with that reimburse those dollars after they after that student fails to make the team, it would be,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
28:50
it would be my understanding that that that would stay with the public school. Happy to work through on the rules side of that, um, but I, I think those, those conversations and hopefully the the tryouts or the, the um meetings with coaches and teachers would happen maybe before they have to make that decision, um, uh, but. my intention that if they've made that decision, we're just going to keep those dollars at the public school and, and I believe that the school system
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
29:16
uses an average daily membership prior year, so I think those dollars in some way can can settle the way they need to. an average daily membership. Duke you recognize for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
29:32
I did the AAA, can the AAA address this? because I know you said this is a AAA rule. It's not a law that we have that's keeping them from doing it. AAA could change the rule and allow this to happen now? I believe
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
29:46
they could theoretically. So, do they have a position on this? I guess how I would answer that is from the beginning of, of working through this, I've worked with, with Mr. Taylor on, um, all the language and we actually made a a um changes. In fact, that's where the 16 funding came from and the catastrophic insurance coverage came from with his request. And so, uh, they are good with the bill as as it is today. Did they indicate
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
30:07
why they just didn't make the changes if they can make the changes on their own and we don't need to have a law to do that. And they are OK with it, why would they, why they weren't
just making the changes that. OK. And then the other question. Um
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
30:32
Well, I'll just get back in the queue. from Codesart you recognize for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Remind me again so they're going to sign up to play at a school. So does that 1/6. Payment to that school for that one period of day does that start at the first year and end at the end of the year. Or if they like I said when
somebody said something about dropping out or is it just for the days they are at that school. Because usually it's figured on a daily membership. It would be my understanding
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
30:57
it would follow the same structure of how the EFA accounts are funded, so for maybe this is a good way to answer it if a student um enrolls in a private school but leads its semester to come back to the public school that those dollars wouldn't continue to fall to the um. private school in the 2nd semester. They would then follow back to the public school and
vice versa would be true. So if a student starts at a public school with that 16 funding, they don't like it, they change, they don't do a fall, uh, I'm sorry, a spring sport or activity, then that would shut off and then no longer, but I, I believe that semester is how those decisions are made, OK, that's what I need to know. Thank
you. Represson Garner, you recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
31:42
just have a quick question. You mentioned the fact that There may be You didn't think there would be private school folks that wanted
to do this that weren't taking EFA accounts. I think in our neck of the woods there might be could be could be so just logistically how would
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
31:59
that work? So and what I was referencing there is, is In the, in that rare situation that a family has decided, I don't want to sign up for Les. But I want to pay full price to a public school. Um, then they could under this law, they could still participate in band at the Fayetteville High. um, but, um, now that that's where that fiscal impact would be. OK, so now there's the, the, the state
would say, all right, we're going to send 16 funding to that public school. that makes sense, but there's no EFA account signed to them because they didn't sign
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
32:29
up for the insurance, it would be a state and that's, that's, that's where that's that impact numbers
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
32:35
coming from, but it's assuming every student. Does that situation, which I don't think is realistic, yeah, yes. Erpson fought he recognized her question. A year, OK. Uh, and Duke, you're back up.
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
32:53
All right, I think this is my last one. Thank you. I remembered the one that I was gonna ask a second ago. So I appreciate the fact that the superintendents are, I guess, on board with this, but what about The parents, because sometimes there's a disconnect between parents and administration or school boards and have you all done gotten a lot of feedback on that as far as Parents and how they feel about it because We just, I guess yesterday the House we just voted on the bill
to sit 365. And there were a lot of reasons why People supported that across the board, private, public, homeschool, like there's a lot of reasons for that. And so I see some of those same issues arising potentially. Especially depending on where you live, it's gonna look very different in different parts of the states, depending on your population and you're now at a private schools. So, Was there an outcry from parents that hey we need this and maybe the parents that need it and then about the parents that are gonna, their kids who are gonna be directly impacted by it, who have been in the school system
for 5, 10 years, and that pop comes and leaves. It's not necessarily invested in that school system. Have you all received a lot of feedback from parents in the public schools who are on the other side of this equation, whose children on the other side of this equation not
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
34:12
quite honestly I've had a lot of positive. fe ed
b ack from the, you know, the, the private school parents, you know, being grateful for the opportunity to be able to extend these opportunities, these growth and opportunities for their kids, um, but I have not
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
34:30
heard anything from the parents of the high school students. Follow up on that, please. Um,
also, is that. I Is that a two-way street? Like if the public school doesn't have an offering, is there a possibility of that being able to. Go to a private school in their area and to help
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
34:47
you with that that bill as well. I think that's a great idea. I thought about that idea. I mean there
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
34:51
there are different opportunities sometimes that some of the private schools that That the public school kids don't have, so I had not thought about the opposite side of that, yeah,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
35:00
happy to help you with that, Bill.
Thanks. I think this is, it's, it's exciting to think about because we know We know how um Kids being involved in activities is a really big deal, um, socially, leadership skills, um, the mentoring that's involved and so we, we really anticipate this being a small impact across the state, a handful of kids, like we said, that, that just fits this nuanced situation. And um just thankful for the
opportunity that we may be creating, especially in this post-lens world as everyone's figuring out kind of rules with AAA and activities and what that looks like and um uh we've tried to take in everything we could think of from insurance to funding to um to rules around recruiting and make sure it's, it's narrowly focused, um, and, and I'm, I'm excited about uh what this could mean to those, you know, potentially a handful of kids in a school district in an area, um, and so that's, that's what works. about, especially, you know, Reps of Duke in our area, there's, there's large
homeschool kids that um I know are deeply impacted by these activities. It's, it's not necessarily always football. I mean, it's, you talk about choir and debate, marching band marching band. I mean, there's, there's so many things that, that this could, could help those handful of kids and, and all, all by mixture we need to make sure we get it right and think through these, these situations, but I really think this bill is, is a great solution. And like we said, it's, it's a win for From small towns, large towns, it's a win for the public schools, for the private schools. It truly, I, I don't
really believe it's got major negatives as we look at the op. And just to to speak on the recruiting aspect of the AAA has 6 pages of rules relative to the recruiting for both public and private, and I think they do a pretty good job of, of enforcing those, uh, and I would imagine that, uh, 1633 which we passed off the floor yesterday, uh, relative to transfers will probably answer the question on could they go from one to another one to another, uh, because we're obviously trying to clamp down on that and I think the AAA is supportive of those as well. Herbson
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
37:05
Gonzalezworthy, you recognized for a question.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
37:08
Yes. we've discussed, I'm and I'm all in favor of having students in extracurricular activities, um, uh, before school, during school, after school, um, that oftentimes that's what keeps kids, um, you know, with another caring or several caring adults and we're, you know, those are our kids while we have them, um, uh, in the school system, but I did, is there any way, because
for me I'm not I'm not quite understanding. You mention, yes, that the insurance is going to follow them, but is that
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
37:45
understood in this bill? But in the triple under triple A's rules, so what they had to have, uh, and this is again working with them on their requests on the wording and the and the dialogue was they their students in any, any um student participating in AAA activities must be enrolled into a class with the 16 funding and if that
that checks their coverage for catastrophic insurance coverage, so that fits everything that they've asked for, whereas We don't talk about the insurance coverage, but AAA covers all of their 525 members, uh, school districts and all and students, but they, in order to do that, their requirements according to their coverage plans was that language. OK, because that, that's really what's, I
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
38:27
think part of the hang up in terms of the funding. We have the 1/6 of the state foundation funding, but
How that other piece works is the question. Yes, ma'am. Seeing no additional questions, there is no one to sign up to speak for or against the bill wouldn't even
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
38:53
like speak for or against the bill. See none representorres,
would you like to close through your bill? I would. I want to read something from the homeschool law that this general assembly passed, and it says the general assembly recognizes that all students should have equal access to interscholastic activities as a compliment to the academic curriculum.
We've already stated the importance of this very bill and then the other thing I'll say is one of the things I've been most impressed with, uh, with the state of Arkansas all these years is hearing how we are the land of opportunity. And this bill is another. You know, asset to our state and fulfilling that promise to our citizens and to people that want to move and work and live and play here and the state of Arkansas with that all closed.
Represent Torres is closed for his bill, as I mentioned, uh, colleagues, we're not going to be taking action on the bill, so he's closed for the bill and we will, uh, I guess I don't know what the proper procedural word would be, we'll pause on uh on this bill until we get closer to the
end of the session and then we will take a motion at that time and vote on it then. Thank youson Torres and
Senator Ds. Thank you, members. And have discussions. Uh, next recognize uh representative Perrier SB 317.
It's a tough crowd this morning, representatives, so we
just, uh, Hope you wore your cowboy boots. If you would please introduce yourself
Speaker 163
40:34
for the record and you get mics ready, uh, Representative Chad Prairie
Speaker 164
40:42
House District 25. Pino gallery out here today, so. You're recognized so
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
40:45
SB 317 comes from the Senate. It works with a series of bills that address their commitment to
discouraging adversarial government influence in Arkansas. Uh, this one's main focus is agricultural research. Um, it prevents an institute of higher education from engaging in the following with a prohibited foreign entity, and I'll just go
down the list if you guys are looking at the bill, it's pretty easy
to follow on that as well. Number one, conduct classified research. Number 2, conduct agriculture research under a contract. Number 3, sell agricultural products including seeds. Number 4, engage in the production of agricultural
products agricultural products and then number 5, enter into a non-disclosure agreement. And it, believe it
or not, it really is that simple. I,
I'll now take questions from Representative Duke. Uh, is it
possible you've been watching this committee? I guess so, uh, Representative
Perrier has presented the bill, uh, so we do have a question from Representative Garner, you're up first. Thank you very much. um, I've
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
41:53
got a couple of questions. I do think, um. I do think there's some validity obviously I just voted on the other, on, on the other bill. This one has a little bit more implications than the other one did in that in agriculture. China has bought a whole lot of the research companies that that researchers use for helping the farmers and so they end up. Doing the research, there's no give and take. They don't send
any information back, that they don't do anything like that, but they need those that that cutting edge research to take care of of the farmers in a timely manner if we wait for that research to be done or that those that are American companies to do that, there may not. It, it's timing as much as anything, but when, when we use those companies, we don't send anything back. But we buy products from those companies to do the research and
a lot of the cutting edge research, China has bought a lot of those companies. So how can we, how can we help our farmers? How can we help our researchers, uh through that farming research or help our farmers through the, the research. Um And I'm getting, I'm getting calls from the farmers, not from the universities necessarily. They, they can do without the reimbursement, but it's that research piece of it that the farmers need. And we're, we're cutting off. It
Essentially we're cutting off that research for those farmers. So I understand
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
43:29
we're we're cutting off the Research from from the adversarial countries, and these are just the adversarial countries on the ITR list. We're
not. You know, and I know China is on that list, but a lot
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
43:44
of these companies that for years. The universities have used for research and that our farmers have used that information and and it's just, it's just one of
those things that I think we could fix with an amendment. But As it is
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
44:02
now I'm worried about our farmers was a Senate bill, so the amendment went, they, they did an amendment to address some of the student research part of it. Um, I can't speak to what amendment and I, I get, I get where you're going, but I feel that once we. You know, compromise with the country on the ITR list and we're gonna kind of lose some valid um we're gonna kind of lose some of that where we're going with it.
Does that make sense? So, so yes, we will lose that potential research because
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
44:32
we're not sending anything back. We don't have people over here. We're not sending anything back. We are purchasing products, but China has bought a lot of these companies that we've used for years that the farmers have used for years and that. That becomes an issue. Well, I haven't, I haven't had
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
44:50
any farmers reach out to me, so if there's other members of the committee that that that that
would be great because I, I've not heard that. I mean, we're, we're just trying to simply, you know, do the 5 things on this and I'm understanding that this gets into. Probably with Syngenta, that was the company that we had removed from Arkansas with legislation last year. Is that the company you're I don't know the names of
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
45:15
all the companies. I just know that China has bought a lot of these. Well, I mean, the
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
45:22
only way I really know to answer that is I have faith in our department of agriculture, and I
think they'll, if, if we do enact this in the law, they'll adapt to that policy and continue to do great work. And I don't think that would change how When they, if we, we would still be able to um We would still be able to do. field trials and some other stuff. I'm not aware of an amendment that would correct this. So I haven't, you know, that and again I'm just the house sponsor that's come from the Senate went through there. You know, come committee in their chamber and I do know
there's amendment that addressed some of the international students and all that, so. If there's anybody, any
other committee member I see theses hitting a. Button over there maybe she can help us out with this. Yeah, I thought you oh. Res fault you're recognized for
your expertise. I'm trying, I'm trying, Mr. Chair.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
46:20
I'm trying. So did we, obviously, I agree with the bill. I'm a co-sponsor of the bill, so I do agree with the
premises of the bill. I understand what Representative Garner is saying. Um They do take it back
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
46:46
the United States, and they go home, they have that research in their mind. Does that make sense what I'm saying? Like, but you're not even talking about that, you're just talking about sales, buying products. So
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
46:57
I think that I think that if we could apply it to agronomic
testing or variety of testing for for product trials, then that would fix it, but you're thinking that that line I'm talking about buying products.
Speaker 191
47:11
So you're like on page 2. Right, so I'll, I'll jump mind chair
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
47:15
if I just kind of, we get a jump in. If, if that if that technology was open to if, if that product was open to the market as a whole. Then that wouldn't be an agreement with the university. Does that make sense?
You know, if that, if that product was already over here for sale, are you talking about us purchasing. Stuff that has not made testing in Arkansas, is that
Speaker 196
47:44
what you're saying. I'm, I'm gonna, I'm, I, guys, I lots of small cattle farms and chicken houses that
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
47:53
might want to refer to some of our row crop farmers up here to help me out this representative.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
48:08
So the way I read the bill and what we're
trying to do is we're trying to protect farming here in our state by not taking products from another country here that could be invasive to take over our products in the United States. That's how I read the bill, is that we don't need to be buying from China because China could absolutely put something in the product that could adversely affect all of our farmers that are here in the state of Arkansas. That's
Speaker 198
48:33
the way I read the bill. And that, that's, I believe
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
48:38
that's what our intention is. I, I think I, I, I do see where you're saying, where you're going with that, but that that that
Speaker 181
48:47
risk, but you have that risk. We have debate
between members here. We need to keep it at one. recognize, let's keep it with the info is asking questions right now. I, I do understand what you're
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
49:00
saying, ma'am. So I'm not trying to dismiss what you're saying. But it is very important that we
protect our research here in the state. And I believe that the market does readjust itself. By using our own products that are developed within the United States. Versus buying products from another country which could adversely affect our research and or our farmers in the United States. Wouldn't you agree, uh, Representative Shapiro, thank you.
Representative Garner, you're back up for a question. Thank
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
49:41
you. And, and I guess my question is for these companies that aren't in China, that the Chinese have bought. They're not even in China, but what they're doing is buying these companies that we've used for years for research. We're not gonna be able to use them anymore for, for agricultural research. Well, I think, I think that would go right back
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
50:00
to what Representative Bo was saying. Yes, there's going to be a if if if this bill passes, there will be a policy change and the market will have to adapt to that.
And, and I've got full faith in the, um, American people to adapt to that. and Representative
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
50:30
McGruder, you recognized for a question. Uh As I read the title of the bill, my question is, does this, does this affect international students who come over, so
Speaker 178
50:35
that was amended with um it does not, I, I think that was a, I don't think I know that was amended so.
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
50:43
Um, an amendment from Senator Johnson worked with the governor's office, that was engrossed into this bill that addresses that concern. That was back during the Senate Education Committee when they did that. Um, so again this just does conduct classified research, conduct agricultural research under a contract. So field trials are not contracted. So if the student is just You know, both of these are outside the scope of like a regular student just completing coursework attending the university. So those two things, that, that was, that is a good question. I,
I even had it on my list. I knew that would be a question
that was brought up in. See no additional. Representative,
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
51:28
you're recognized for a question. Uh, Representative Perrier, wouldn't you agree that just because. A
company is bought by China doesn't mean that they're still not controlling that company and could still adversely affect any research. And or sell of products in the
United States. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Saying no additional questions, there's no one signed up to speak for or against the bill would we like to speak for or against the bill? See down per year would you like,
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
52:00
would you like to close for your bill? Uh, maybe. You know, I, I feel, you know, kind of going off what Representative Vo said. We have a duty to protect our state our state's agricultural uh resources from any adversarial governments and You know, with that, I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
52:18
Reps your clothes for his bill. Uh, we have a motion to pass from Representative Vault. Or some Cozart. Is
there a discussion on the motion? some injuries you recognize for discussion.
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
52:28
Thank you, Mr. Chair, uh, Represent Perrier, I really like this bill. I think anything we can do to divest from the CCP is beneficial
to Arkansas and to the United States and it's a great bill. It's not represented back you recognize for discussion.
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
52:48
Thank you. I, I. And maybe this, I'm a little bit older than you guys, but I don't know if you guys remember that we actually caught. Some people that have been to some of our research places here in the rice and they caught them at the airport with some of our rice that we would That was researched some kind of special rice, and they actually caught them taking rice from Stuttgarard. So this is exactly what this bill. Talks to.
Send additional discussion and we have a motion to pass on the table if I ever say aye. All opposed Congratulations Reverend Perry. Your bill is
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
53:29
passed. I'm gonna yield the chair back to representative Cozart again, uh, we're gonna recognize represent Carolyn Brown to present HB 1545 if you would please introduce yourself for
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
54:03
Thank you, Mr. Chair. um, I have a guest uh. That I'd like to
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
54:09
call to the table, uh, Mr. Don Barry, you'll both introduce yourself
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
54:14
when you uh are ready, we'll proceed Carolyn
Speaker 224
54:21
Brown District 67. Don Barry from the Arkansas Central Arkansas chapter of Military Officers Association. OK, you're the HB
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
54:30
1545. Thank you committee HB 1545 amends the Arkansas Military
Child Transition Act of 2021. It improves the 2021 Act in a number of ways, but most notably by formalizing our purplear school program to assist children of uniformed services families by addressing the educational, social, and emotional challenges, military connected students face during their transition to a new school. By providing clear guidance for military families to take best advantage of advanced enrollment of their children in the school district of choice ahead of their arrival in Arkansas and in
recognition of Department of Education support and the initiatives and effectiveness of our school districts, this legislation gives our school districts authority to apply the programs and provisions of the military child school transition Act to all students transferring to the district, not just military. dance. Arkansas has been a member of the Interstate Compact for Military Children since 2013. We enacted the Arkansas Military Child Transition Act of 2021
because the compact was not effectively supporting the needs of our National Guard families or the needs of highly mobile active duty families reassigned to Arkansas. We are the only state to establish a parallel program untethered from the compact. In 2023, Congress, Congress tasks DOD to explore ways to improve the interstate compact. This past December in its report to Congress, DOD said states should consider the benefits of implementing the Arkansas model.
The Arkansas model appears to be the most robust mechanism to increase flexibility oversight, accountability, and consistency of the compact and other supportive policies and programs on behalf of military connected students. Um, the, um, the in the section do not codify covers a lot of really important reasons, uh,
and highlights the, the text of the bill, so I hope you've had a chance to look at that. Um We've, over the years, you know, first it, it, the, um, The legislation affected only the active duty, then it brought in the guard and reserve and uh in this particular bill, we're trying to also address some uh a request by the Veterans coalition to address the needs
of Gold Star children, uh, by allowing them to um. By allowing districts to give a an excused absence for those students to attend uh a mental health camp um. And there are quite a few of those camps available, so, um, with that, I'd just like to. Let you all ask questions. About the bill, if you have your guest have anything you'd like to say first.
Speaker 235
57:50
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee, uh. This has been a long effort that we've made to actually started in 2019 as Representative Brown mentioned where we untethered ourselves from the compact. We are the only state that is actually done that and we're now seen as Quite Quite on the leading edge in a number of different areas. We buy bundling all of these provisions within a single chapter as opposed to be scattered across a state's uh.
Library of statutes, what we've done is we've provided a very central process here and it's something that we can quite be proud of this, this body and your associates and the other chamber over a couple of years have really set the bar for Arkansas that's way above any other state, and I'm available for questions too. One
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
58:43
other thing that I wanted to say, which I think is really um a stellar achievement with this piece
of legislation is that it now not only allows, like I
mentioned, uh, military transitioning military students, but students from across the state and students coming in from other states which I think with so many people moving to Arkansas, this will really help accommodate um uh some of our economic development plans. By making it easier for those students from other, you know, companies to choose Arkansas because it'll make it easier for their students to transition to Arkansas. Do you have any questions committee? Reps of Garner, you recognized.
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
59:28
turn your back. Um It has been 20 plus kids before. Is it now open for one child, the just the
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
59:41
purple Star program is is set up to address if a school has 20 students or more and I'll let Mr. Barry address that more detail. Yes,
Speaker 235
59:50
ma'am. The, uh The bar is set at 20 if the school has 20 or more military connected children.
And that includes active duty guard reserve, and the schools are given a the. The ability to extend that definition, how they would like, but that, that's the requirement is if they have 20. We have schools with far less than that who are all who have also established Purple Star school programs, uh, magazine, uh, school district is an example that they have done that and they do not have, but like I think 4 or 5 military connected kids. So it The bar is set that if you have
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
1:00:31
20 then you must have a program. OK, great. That's. Represent Duke, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, um, I've got a couple
of questions and then I will yield to somebody else has questions because obviously I ask a lot. Um, my first one's on page 12. Um, on It's lines 33 through 36. It's about the professional development piece. So the way I read it is we are going to now require.
Professional development for teachers or someone in the school. To be provided for them to take it and, um, Add on to the, I mean, obviously it'll be within the 60 hours or whatever it's in the contract, but am I understanding it correctly, we are now adding another professional development piece. We raised this question with
Speaker 235
1:01:26
uh uh DesE and as to how they want to handle this question came up BLR asked how they wanted that
to be formalized. And I was looking to see if uh Uh Courts left the room, but uh The opportunity there was to provide whether or not it needed to be incorporated in the professional education sta, and they, they determination was not that that, that they would leave that up to the school districts to make those determination. But the
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
1:01:53
school district would have to For whoever is filling this role would have to have PD in this. Is that correct? Yes, OK. I'm sorry.
That's correct. OK, so I'll, I'll leave. That for discussion, I guess. On page 13. On the student ambassador piece, and I don't know that I wrote the Line numbers down on that, so my apologies for that. And thank you for bringing this bill. I know that you have a, your heart on this, and I appreciate that and I. I am Uh, anyway, I appreciate it. So on the ambassador piece, this is basically someone to introduce. The students, help them around the schools. What if a kid,
because a lot of schools already have these programs, um, not targeted for just this situation, but they already have people and already have systems in place and all of those things. So do, do those systems roll into this? Are they given the freedom to make that work what fits best for their district, uh, how, what does that look like? OK, that would be up
Speaker 234
1:02:59
to the district, but certainly those are those existing programs would be even very advantageous because they're already in
Speaker 235
1:03:09
existence, so to answer your question, absolutely those would be able to roll forward, but those become uh when the Arkansas Council for Military Children outlines the state master plan. Uh, then the school districts themselves or the schools develop their plan from that model, and they would then have the authority to make those those shows, but certainly, uh, in the case of Ambassador programs, that would be something that would be definitely would be imported into this program, so they would have to adapt their existing
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
1:03:39
program to meet this. Criteria. Is that correct? That would be up
Speaker 235
1:03:46
to the determination of the Arkansas Council for Military Children. We would not, we did not want to establish a
Speaker 234
1:03:52
statute that provision. We wanted to leave that authority to the school districts. OK, um, and
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
1:03:57
then, I'll ask the, um, I'll go ahead and follow this lineup if
that's OK, Mr. Chair. Um, page 14. And again, I didn't write down the lines, I'm sorry.
But it has to do with, I think the role that In reaching out and to local businesses and communities and so forth like that. Again, is
Speaker 258
1:04:29
this a teacher that is going to be doing this? Staff member. Um, uh, it's it. It would be more probably the, the Purple Star school, uh, the school, there's a facilitator
Speaker 235
1:04:44
assigned at, at, uh, within the, the school is the kind of the focal point, but again, it's, it, it would be up to the school district to to develop those arrangements, those coordination, so we're not putting the onus on a teacher to be able to do this. It's, it's whatever the district has, they are required to have a facilitator for the program, but that doesn't mean that the facilitator is responsible for setting up all of those outside arrangements, they just become a, a focal point for it.
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
1:05:14
Like a point of contact, but they're not the
Speaker 235
1:05:18
one who's doing the outreach. They would not necessarily be the ones
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
1:05:22
doing the outreach. OK, um, and then my final question is, is this something that local schools could already do on their own? Does it, does it have to have a statute to do this, or can they already do this and are some doing it already? I'm sure that
Speaker 235
1:05:33
many are doing it already, but we want to incorporate it within the Purple Star School program. OK, thank you.
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:05:40
Risa Garner, do you have another question? OK, so I rips it painter you recognize. Um, I
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:05:46
I appreciate. We're trying to do the intent. I just have some questions, questions a little heartburn. Uh, can you tell me what organ you talked
about some organizations that are for that. What other military organizations are against this bill that you know of? The only one
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:06:04
I've heard from that's opposed is um. Uh, the Arkansas Veterans Coalition. OK. All right, and can you, um, uh,
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:06:16
What, what, uh, their concerns about this bill. Have they
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:06:22
expressed those concerns to you, and if so, can you? Not in so many details, um, the, the portion that
that we specifically worked on was, uh, The students whose parents who have been killed in combat or died from a combat wounds or illnesses. Which you would be referring to
Speaker 265
1:06:42
as Gold Star families and Correct. They
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:06:49
Have programs available to them that they can go to help with healing. The concern was that some of these students who want to attend these programs or have attended these programs receive an excused absence in some districts and and don't receive an excuse absence in others. And so We addressed that as best we could without mandating an
excused absence. This legislation discusses Those programs that are available for children who are healing or trying to heal from their, the pain of their loss and um. There, there are many programs. And I'm not exactly sure why the Veterans Coalition opposes the language, it may just be a misunderstanding of how this. Will work
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:07:51
And how it will be accommodated roasted painter they signed up to speak. Oh, they are
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:07:57
OK. I, and I think I just wanted to make sure that because, um, like I said, I, I, I A kind of a part of me agrees with it. I just don't, uh, you know, agree maybe on how to get there, um, but I think that's a big deal when you agree that, you know, an organization that represents many other veterans organizations are not quite there yet and as being a veteran, one or two on this committee, um, That when my fellow brothers and
sisters of those organizations have an issue. I, I think they bring up some good points.
Speaker 269
1:08:28
So when you agree or disagree, but appreciate
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:08:31
it, Mr. Chair, for the latitude. Well, I understand your concern, but they're, um, There are many other organizations, many, many other veterans and many other Gold Star people who are very supportive of this legislation. Any other
Speaker 224
1:08:47
questions, if I may, Mr. Chair, to respond to Representative Painter's
Speaker 235
1:08:53
question. Uh The process that we went through and we working with DESE as well as the school board association, recognizing what the request was to provide excused absence, uh, the school board association provides the model policies that all of the school districts then subscribe to and we found that the best way for us to propagate uh information as to those relevant programs that were
available for uh Gold Star families for mental health. resilience family, resilience efforts was to, to be able to bring those organizations to the attention of the school board association so that when the school boards themselves set up their set their policies which they're required to, uh, that would provide a common form for for for all of those that's where 4H uh is there, uh, FFA, all of those organs, that's propagated by the school board
association, as I understand it, I'm not I can speak about that process, I certainly can't speak for that process for the school board association or for DESE, but that was our intent with why we, we reached out to DESE. We reached out to the school board association and they actually contributed to the language in the amendment, which is on page 8. And, and I'm
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:10:17
representative Painter, um. I am very sensitive to the.
The needs and the um.
concerns of military veterans. I am a surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. Uh, my father was a veteran, um. You know, I'm very involved with veteran activities, so, uh, we, we really worked. Uh, carefully, we, we. reworked the language to make it so that it was uh more permissive and not um.
So it would accommodate in what we did is we looked at there's a a program of where Um Mr. Senice has a program that takes children to Disneyland. Disney World and um and when a child uh is a confirmed registered student in that program they will receive a letter from the um the Sunice Foundation stating that they will be attending there and they
can give that to the school to just confirm that they're doing what they say Representative
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:11:30
Nazarico. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and, and
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:11:33
thank you for both for um for your passion. I know, uh, Representative Brown, we've, we've folks, I know you're very passionate,
just like I am, uh, as well as you are, sir, and my, my question is this, my passion kind of stems from being a combat veteran myself and losing some good friends bracelet on my hand is, uh, from a good friend of mine, Taylor Galvin, who left
his family behind after he was killed in the Black Hawk crash, uh, and so this is very near and dear to my heart, um, Would you, because we did speak, but would you agree, or would you be willing to Rework the bill bringing those entities to the table, bringing some Gold Star families who've actually firsthand experience with this, and then getting their input as well as other organizations, would you be willing to kind of go that extra
effort. I would be willing to help, uh, with that as well because I know it's, you've worked hard on it and I appreciate all the work that you've done, but is that something that you would
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:12:40
consider? I'm not inclined to consider it. But this bill is an important bill and it does need to pass, um, I, I really, if I, if I knew what the, what the heartburn was, I'd be willing to consider it, but this is a very good bill and it's uh it's um.
Mr. Barry just stated, we've worked with DE, we've worked with school board Association. We and, and I'm a member in proxy for our chair on the Arkansas Council for Military Children, and this addresses, you know, concerns that they had, um, one of the most important ones that we addressed was that for children to be uh considered a military child and to receive the benefits of being a military child in our public schools is their eligibility.
to be considered ended after one year if they're military parent had died. So now they will continue to be considered in that program and the Purple Star program. I'd really like to know what the. What the heartburn is. I don't know what it is. Let me, let me make a little statement before you
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:13:51
follow up. You know, I, I know what you're trying to get at, I think, and I think what we
might want to hear is what the other two people
have to say against this bill and then let you all understand and maybe maybe she might want to make some changes and if not, she can run this bill that's her prerogative to do, but I'll let y'all, I'll let y'all go ahead and ask questions, but at the point that uh after this we have 2 that are signed up to speak against this bill. Just letting you know that. So you're, you're class I can hold my question then, chair. Resent Duke, you have a question, OK, reps at painter are you good? OK, OK, is there any other questions from the committee?
Seeing none, then we're going to hear from the audience and first up I have Mark Diggs with the Arkansas Veterans Coalition to speak against the bill. If you would come forward, please. Representative Richardson, you're up next after
this bill if you want to take a seat somewhere, you're good. Thank you. Wherever
If y'all would, uh, state your name and who you're with for the record, please, and then you will be recognized to speak against this bill. Thank you,
Speaker 282
1:15:17
Chairman. I'm Sherry Briley. I am the widow of Chief Warrant Officer Donovan Briley, who was KIA. 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia. Uh, better
Speaker 283
1:15:23
known as Black Hawk Down. OK, Ms. Brawley, I have you down as the 2nd 1 to speak against
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:15:35
this bill with hearts of our heroes. Is that correct? That is correct. I have both of y'all at the table at the same time that are here to speak against the bill. Yes
Speaker 284
1:15:47
sir. OK, y'all go ahead and, if you would recognize yourself, sir. My name's Mark
Mark Diggs
Unverified
1:15:52
Diggs. I'm a combat veteran Vietnam era. But uh I'm an advocate for veterans. Uh, their families, survivors. I am the immediate. this I'm an
Speaker 284
1:16:02
immediate past president of the Arkansas Veterans Coalition.
Mark Diggs
Unverified
1:16:07
And current chairman of the governmental affairs Committee of the Veterans Coalition. The Arkansas Veterans Coalition is a statewide Nonpartisan 501c319. Organization just like American Legion DAB VFW and the others you're familiar with. We are nonpartisan. Um, veteran in our title is a little bit misleading in that we do represent Armed with discharged veterans, retired veterans, but we also
represent active duty military reserve. National Guard members, all of their families, and survivors. So if you add that group together, we represent about 500,000 Arkansans. It's a statewide coalition we have. Regional Veterans Coalition all over the state. We haven't been Uh, West Arkansas, Southwest Arkansas, Northeast Arkansas River Valley, and so forth. So we are a collaborative.
And all of the organizations you're familiar with, the American Legion. All of them DAV BFW are collaborative members, they're not subordinate. They are a collaborative member and we work as a group to identify those things. That uh are important, uh, and to the uh to our uh group that we service and support. In that, uh, in the past, uh, the Barksall Veterans Coalition have been what I'd call combat ineffective. In that, uh, they were reacting
to legislation. Uh, we get a call, uh, some bill had been passed. They would ask what is the veterans uh state veterans. Organizations think about this issue. And uh we do our best to respond to it, but it was, it was the time factor was firstly impossible to have a true representation of what the veterans. Uh, needed. So what we did is in 2024 instituted an inaugural session of a 2.5 day
training session. To handpick delegates to come and be trained in the legislative process, how an idea becomes a bill. Uh, how the committee process works, how the floor process works, our amendment process works and how to effectively engage with uh elected officials of all types. Uh, so that we could become truly proactive advocates. Uh, for, uh, the group that we represent.
And uh that was held in July, last week of July of last year. Uh, in advance of this session. And the goal of the we handpicked 20 from around the state. We made sure that we had representative geographically and in all shapes, forms or fashion. One of the groups that was part of this was the heart of our heroes, which is basically the Gold Star families, Sherry Riley, who's here, she'll speak for herself with the delegate there.
Delegates were required before they could attend to submit a, an idea that they felt that legislation or a Uh Policy change by the governor in the executive branch would effectively address An issue Uh, we got together all 2 issues were debated. Uh, much like in the committee, we tried to train them kind of how this works. And then at the end of that 2.5 day session and it was led by Representative.
A former representative uh Trevor Brown, combat veteran. Some of y'all may know him. He was a legislator. He, he instructed us on these things work both as a science and as an art. Which we're very appreciative of. And at the end of that, the entire 2 delegations voted. Uh, the priorities of which ones they wanted to bring forward, we knew that we needed to bring a finite number 3, no more than 5 issues forward for consideration by the legislature.
And uh one of these issues was from the Gold Star families, and it's the one we're talking about today that part of what we're talking about today. And uh those issues were voted on, not only by those delegates, but they was reviewed by the executive board of the Veterans Coalition which is representative from all around the state. They unanimously approved all of them and then it was presented individually, each one individually to the entire membership of the Veterans Coalition.
And in September of uh 2024, every one of the issues passed unanimously. The goal was to engage as early as possible to find sponsors for those bills. And uh uh and consideration of the election going on in the holidays and everything. We knew that if we could get sponsors and do early filings that we would get ahead of the game so that we could have these bills issued. 45,
Issues did did have bills associated, which one we're talking about today, uh, uh, there are 3 others that are in the process of going through hearings and they have been formally filed in the committee review. And so the issue we ran in here today was to deal specifically with excused absence for Gold Star families. That was the whole thing, a briefing paper was written and is available in 3-page briefing paper that lined out the issue, the pros and the cons and what needed to be accom
what we felt needed to be accomplished that we support. Um, and, uh, November of last year. Uh, Representative Brown contacted me. And uh uh let me know that she would be introducing a bill. That would, uh, hopefully address this, the issue that we brought forward. And since that time, uh, basically until the introduction of the bill. Uh, we've had virtually no input
or no meetings, no. In spite of repeated attempts to engage. So thank Representative Brown is correct. She does not understand what our objections are, uh, we would hope that we would have an opportunity to sit down with her. Uh, to explain those and constructively work with her to make the appropriate amendment to address particular issue. The bill before you addresses a whole lot of other issues besides our one issue. Ours is a subset of that.
And, and that's where we, we have uh actually it does unless it's been changed since we've been made aware of it. It does not address it. It did at one time on February 27th, there was a version of the bill that did we had no objection to it and it would go forward it has since been changed. And it really does not. Um, address the issue directly and that's what we object to is, is a bill that goes in that includes
And talks to uh the issue that we have, but it does not address it, uh, adequately and so I'm going to let uh Sherry Riley specifically talked to that
Speaker 282
1:23:41
point. Thank you, Mark. Thank you again, Chairman. Um, I am Sherry Briley, and,
Speaker 283
1:23:45
um, I am the executive director of Hearts of Our Heroes and, um, Uh, just want to say that, uh, Andrea Fisher was a found is the founder and has worked with Gold
Star families for over 13 years and me being, uh, this is the, uh, going on the thirty-second year of Being a surviving spouse, um. I, um. I, I just, uh, I. I, I appreciate everything that's being done, but. I, I just, um, And I'm not able to um move forward with this, and I, I, I have a couple of things that, uh, I'd like to read, um, the
initial intent of the bill and the changes we were seeking on behalf of families are not what is being conveyed in the bill in front of you. Our military families of the fallen have faced challenges across the state when seeking mental health support from individual schools. While we understand we can't mandate excused absences at the school level, we would like to be able to encourage them. Of the importance of excused absences and that the state support them in doing so. Hearts of our heroes provides long term support of our
military families of the fallen, and we came across, uh, we, uh, we came to the Arkansas Veterans Coalition on behalf of our families who struggle with support for their children. These now, these are now single parents raising their children after losing their spouse, grandparents now raising their children, grandchildren after one or both of the child's parents have died. And we simply want the verbiage to. Verbiage for the schools to be able to follow so our families receive consistent support from
one school district to another HB 1545 has taken on a life of its own, and none of the organizations that. are and will be impacted by the changes have been privy to any conversations to provide their feedback, guidance, or if the changes are being made, uh, if there are feasible. The Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas School Board of Association and the Arkansas Purple Star School program, nor the Arkansas Veterans Coalition.
have been asked to come to the table in collaboration on the bill and even more so, none of the military families of the fallen or Hearts of our heroes have been kept apprised to the proactive, to be proactive on this bill. The verbiage and the changes continue to be filed and then sent to us. Afterthought with little time to respond, the bill is creating challenges not only for the military families of the fallen, but for the school districts.
The bill expects, uh, individual schools districts to dedicate time to review and approve each support organization a child may request to attend for a trauma loss, retreat, or a grief support group. Uh, we've asked several questions in regards to these changes, including how the school board will receive a list of sponsoring organization. organizations that provide these opportunities. What criteria will the board base their decisions on. And how are they going to communicate these approvals to
the families when they aren't even able to identify the military families. Of who the military families are within a school district without self-identifying. What if a doctors refer referral. Says to the family, the organization is not approved on this list, so therefore, You can't attend the grief counseling event. The response I received, uh, from the ASBA would provide guidance and communicate with the members member districts and the AB.
ASBA would be able to over Would be the overseeing authority. Yet the ASBA has even been brought, hasn't even been brought into the conversation and that's what we were hoping to achieve. These children attend a trauma loss or a grief or trait support group to connect with valued valuable resources, seek support and develop relationships with survivors who are coping with The same losses they are. We all experience loss in our
life, but losing someone in service to our country is a different kind of loss, one that cannot be explained. If you haven't experienced it yourself, but what I do know is mental health and grief affects us all. And continues to be an issue left on the table without proper support. We don't want to complicate the system, but we're just trying to provide support on every level for our children of the fallen in the schools. Um
This bill is gonna, is going to complicate those efforts and discourage families from seeking support for their child's mental health. So I'm asking you on behalf of our military families. Please do not prevent, please do not approve the bill that is in front of you. Would y'all
Speaker 292
1:28:49
be open for questions? open for questions? Yes, and the only
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:28:55
Yes, and the only comment is we stand ready to meet.
Mark Diggs
Unverified
1:29:07
With Representative Brown or anybody else to work to try to address these concerns. We We appreciate the uh the intent. And the work that's been put into it, we just ask to at least have A chance to participate and, and express the issues that we, as we see them, for our group. Uh, any kind of I, I have, uh, some people with
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:29:32
questions that representative Nazrico, you have a question for him.
Speaker 295
1:29:38
Mine is, it's more going to be for Representative Brown, uh, Mr. Chairman. Duke, do you
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:29:42
have one for? Same way. Any anyone have questions for them. We'll see you then. Thank y'all for your testimony, and we will uh bring our sponsor back to the end of the table. If there is a
Speaker 297
1:30:18
Are you, uh, still want to proceed with your bill.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:30:25
Well, I never did hear what any specific objections were. OK, so I have
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:30:29
still have 3 questions here if you, if you're ready for more questions, we'll start back with the questions from uh what the committee has still for you. If that's proper. But we went to a motion yet, so I believe we can still do that, uh, representative Nazrico, you recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:30:51
Representative Brown, again, I really appreciate it. I know this is a ton of work and definitely a, a passion for you and a passion
for me as well and um with, with their testimonies, I guess what my question is, is would you be willing, you know, to bring others even other entities that may not be represented here today, but we bring other entities to the table, get in a group and make sure that, that that bill is, as I, as I said earlier, your bill is, it's a good bill and a good intent, and I know your heart is purely, you know, to take care of folks.
But could we bring, would you be willing to bring those folks to the table, and again, I'm willing to put work for it too, to help you out because I know it's, it's hard work and it's a lot of work, and I appreciate your passion for it. Is that something that
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:31:38
you would be willing to? I don't know who else to bring to the table. We've brought everybody to the table. We, we have done that. Um, the Veterans Coalition does not they they would like to
represent all veterans in the state, but they do not. A lot
of, you know, there's lots of other veterans organizations that have not chimed in on this. They're happy with it. In fact, one of the members of the, um, Arkansas Council for Military Children. He has a gold star wife herself and on active duty, and she is very pleased with this legislation and I still did not hear. The only objection I heard from Mister Diggs and Miss Briley. I They wanted They wanted to have more
feedback. All I ever heard from them is they wanted to be able to have excused absences and at first they wanted those excused absences to be mandated, and I have explained to Mr. Diggs, I did not know that um the uh. Uh, Hearts of our heroes group was involved until after I was well into this and Mr. Diggs was representing all of them. I unders you know, everyone was my understanding and the the
request was that there be excused absences for these programs for the Gold Star children. Across the board and then I explained to him that we cannot mandate that to our school districts so this bill I believe is a good accommodation for everything they ask for. It's um I mean, it does not mandate the school districts of Provide excused absences and,
and that's really what they want. They want a mandate. And I don't know how else to accommodate them. I think we have scrubbed this and scrubbed this and, and made it um. The best bill we could make, I mean, as far as educating the districts as to the need. I think this bill does that. Um, I don't know what can be accomplished if I pull it down. I really don't. I mean, what, what What
do you think I could accomplish by pulling it down.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:33:54
May I follow up Mr. Chair, so I think probably the biggest thing that I would see the the uh what we could accomplish by pulling it down
and, and if you were to choose to do that, to bring folks to the table and either other entities, it might not even be represented here. I'm, we've got DAV, we've got VFW, we've got a lot of other folks that we could bring in that may have something to say about it and we can get as many firsthand experiences like, like Miss Brierley that have gone through different, you
know, uh, different things, we could reach out. to children, you know, with Cherry Briley being a Gold Star spouse, we may be able to have a gold star child that can, can come to the table and then from their experience, this is what I experienced in school, and then this is what really could help us out would be, you know, very impactful and could possibly even turn this into a great bill, opening our eyes to something that we may not even see at that point. Um, that's kind of what I see, uh, being available for being the best possible solution to get back to the table and make sure that we,
we get input. From the folks that this is going to really impact. Would, would you agree with that? Mr.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:35:02
Chair, could I hear the other committee members questions before I respond to Representative Nazarenko. However, Representative Duke, you recognize her question. Thank you,
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:35:10
Mr. Chair. So my question is, There seems to
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
1:35:16
be a lot of pieces on the school district, some that I wasn't aware of until after I heard that
testimony that there, the school board's gonna have to review, they're going to have to have some processes with selecting which. Um, what the criteria is for the requests that come in and I thought those were valid concerns and I. I, I really do appreciate what you're doing here. I think it is a good thing, but I think some of the details and how it's playing out in the school districts. That's the piece that I'm looking at is what does it look like in a school district? How does that play from day to day? What is it
gonna be required for them to do, and not that they're not supportive of that. I think they are, but I think we have to also be very mindful of what does that look like on the day to day, and I appreciate the school board association's input and stuff on this, but getting some feedback sometimes from beyond the superintendents and onto those day to day teachers. or Staff members who are going to be doing I think it's helpful. So I don't know if you can address some of that, but those are my concerns and would you agree that maybe that needs to
be at least looked at to make sure it's as clean and tight and maybe not as prescriptive on some of those pieces, as I think it is
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:36:37
right here. On what their duty is to we did present this to Desi. They
have, they, they have looked at every, every bit of this amended language. We met with them, we reviewed every bit of it with Desi. Um, and the um Mention of the district is, is, is really in deference to the district because it's their
choice and they can set their own parameters and it was simply an acknowledgement of their authority. Um That's all. I mean, it's not putting additional work on the district, I don't believe, but um. Is there another, is there another question?
Is there another concern? Is there something else that I need to think about. Because I feel like I've done everything to accommodate the wishes of the
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:37:42
Gold Star families. And do representative Painter, you're recognized for a question. Uh, represent Nazarenko, you're
back up to, uh, finish, I think Riverson Brown, he had another question to answer of his or. Y'all good?
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:38:05
Seeing no additional I want this bill to pass. I think it's an important bill, but although We allowed, um, Mr. Diggs and Ms. Briley, it's public to be able to express their concerns. They did not identify any specific detail of this legislation that did not res that was a problem for them. They didn't have not identified that. I don't know what else we can do
in here to, uh, um, address their wishes.
If it makes, I mean, I will pull this back. And, and sit down with anybody, but I don't know what is, what is going to change if I do. Grierson and
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:38:55
Gonzalez Worthy, you have a question. I, I think that that would be, can I make a, can I make a comment or I have to turn it into a question. Go ahead and phrase it
as a question, but comment all you want I think. And I know it's, it's, it's
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:39:08
hurtful because you've spent, you've poured in a lot of time, but the bill, I think, as was mentioned by representative Nazarenko, um, and also, uh, Representative Painter, um had mentioned about um bringing in. The actual stakeholders, more of the stakeholders that would be impacted by this bill and two groups we heard from and so I think you would have a lot of others that would want their input and this would also make
this a dynamic, wonderful bill with that would that would help it pass no no, no issues and that would be on you bringing this to Arkansas because we haven't, you know, we're not part of the uh the other. Uh, national, um, In their state compact we have
Speaker 110
1:39:58
our own so. Would you agree? I would agree and um. You know
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
1:40:06
I could just remove everything about the excused absences and then.
And leave that out and let them run a separate bill of their own. But I addressed their need. Mr. Chair,
I'm gonna pull this bill down and see if we can't settle the muddied waters. I'm, I'm not sure where the problem is. I really am not sure. I think it's a perfectly good bill the way
it is. Representative Brown has uh recommended she'll be pulling the bill down. Uh, my re my
request of committee, especially those who had significant questions is that uh we uh work with her in, in good faith to ensure that it gets to a place that would be um amenable to the committee as well as to To all those involved because I think Representative Brown is more than willing to, to do that. So let's do our job and work work well together so uh Representative Brown is gonna pull down 1545. Uh, we will hear that at a later date, uh, perhaps with some changes. Thank you, Representative Brown Next up, uh, last bill on the
agenda would be uh HB 1062 with representative Richardson, representing Richardson, you recognize if you would please. Uh, there is an amendment on this that uh staff is passing out and Thank you Representative Richardson, uh, will present the amendments and then uh you're recognized to present the bill if you wish to introduce yourself, please for the record before Representative Richardson, uh, avails us with
his wisdom and intelligence. I'm going to recognize Representative Meeks for appointed personal privilege. Thank you, Mr.
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
1:41:50
Chairman, uh, colleagues, uh, I just wanted to, uh, let y'all know that uh shadowing me today at the Capitol, there are a few seniors from Greenbrier High School. Uh, they're sitting over here if you guys would raise your and smile, they are learning all about the legislative process, so please make them feel welcome. Thank y'all for being here and, and uh I was out for
a moment, but we also didn't recognize it. Senate chair Jane English was also here for a moment. Now
she's leaving. Thank you, Senate chair, uh, for being with us, always good and then uh one other group that I did not have a chance to recognize at first. We have several new superintendents from uh the White County area, Mr. Brad Horn brought us some friends, I believe from Bald Knob, uh, Bradford and England. Am I correct? And then uh my hometown of Cersei, uh, we have, uh, Good gentleman here as well. So, uh, we appreciate the four of you, they're all over here, so if you guys wanna give us a wave and I appreciate your work in
serving students uh here in the state of Arkansas. Uh, so after all the pleasantries represented Richardson, you are recognized. Thank you,
Speaker 313
1:42:54
uh, Mr. Chair. Thank you committee. So, uh, we'll approach this amendments pretty straightforward, uh, we had, uh, um, we needed to exclude, uh, the three groups that you see on this amendment from this bill, uh, because of the nature of, of what the bill's content is, um, so, uh, with
Speaker 314
1:43:10
that I'll, I'll close for the amendment and I would appreciate a good vote.
We have a motion to pass on the amendment or discussion on the motion. See no discussion if ever say aye, I opposed. Congratulations, your amendment has been adopted. You now recognized to present HB 1062
Speaker 313
1:43:28
as amended. Uh, thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman and committee again Scott Richardson, District 13. I always enjoy presenting to this committee, um. And I mean that truthfully, uh, point of order about buttering up? I'm not sure that that's allowed,
but maybe that there at the end of the day, um, uh, you
Speaker 313
1:43:49
know, we, we produced a couple of really good bills that I, I, I'm very proud to have been a part of and so I appreciate the input, uh, this may be another one of those that uh needs some tweaks, and I'm very happy to do that if that's necessary as usual, um, because at the end of the day this is our bill, um, not mine, and so I want to make sure that we get. get what's what's done out but let me present the bill and then see what uh where that leads from there, um. I was uh doing door knocking as
most of you have done, uh, early in the fall, and I, I ran into a, uh, a house where the lady answered the door, black eye, obviously had taken a bit of abuse. I tried not to look at it. But you can't help that she noticed and then Immediately explained to me that this was the result of the 2nd encounter that she had had with the same student in her classroom. Um, the first one had been violent but not quite that violent. This one where the student actually managed to lay
hands on her and and cause damage. We know that across the, the nation, this is an ongoing problem that continues to get worse, um, and, um, this bill is a first stab at an attempt uh to, to provide some protections to our teachers, um, this is not gonna solve. the violence issue. It and I don't know that anyone has a perfect plan for that. I know that I'm working on another
piece of legislation that I'm looking forward to bringing, um, that, uh, approaches the mental health challenges that we have in our school districts. um, I'm looking forward to that bill. It'll start over in the Senate and then I'll be hopefully presenting that over here after spring break, but um this one really um addresses or attempts to address uh the ability for our uh teachers who are employed by those districts to have a say so and What happens next with a
specific student and to be able to push back with uh with that student returning to their classroom, um, it was interesting to me uh if you look on page 2 line 16 that violent behavior, um, before this bill, violent behavior was not named in statute as something that a teacher could, um, uh. kick a kid out of the room for, um, and, and that's a bit of concern and it kind of sets the stage for everything that
follows, um. Just to get into what uh what the bill actually does, and then I'm gonna unfortunately there's a lot of um What I call go to loops in this bill where it says, OK, if this happens, jump over here to this part. If it's this piece, we're going to go over here to this, and so there's some of that and so the bill is a little bit hard to read and I'll try to do my best to decipher a lot of that, but essentially what we're uh what the bill does, um, is.
Um, laid out in the intent, um, and I'm sure you've all read that that we want to provide um the these teachers the ability to say, listen, let's get the children the help that they need before they return to a standard classroom where they might continue the current actions, um, it also allows for what I, what I refer to as a cooling off period, uh, a maximum of 10 days where if the child does commit a violent act, let's get them out of that class. environment where the where the
act occurred. Let's put them into um what we, what we refer to in the bill as an interim learning environment, um, not to be and ILE, not to be confused with an ALE, um, to ensure that they have an opportunity to reset, to do a um an interview with or a conversation with all of the stakeholders, teacher, the parents or or guardians that the um. Uh, medical professor professionals that may be
involved, counselors, whoever else that needs to have and be involved in that conversation so that we get the child the support that they need uh to recover and to function in the correct manner in a classroom, um, now where all of this gets complicated, um, you would, you would think in a normal circumstance, uh, uh, a student commits a violent act against a teacher, um, that would be covered under normal circumstances in the um, school's policy, um, and that is
also mentioned in this bill that the school's policy can address that, but where the waters get really muddy is when we're dealing with a child who is an IEP for 401 child and there's, there's all kinds of challenges there, um, that I don't really understand all of them. I've, I've learned a lot in this process, but at the end of the day there are a bunch of regulations that um stipulate how that child can behave. handled. There's really cool terms like placement, um, that
mean a lot different than this than than what I would have thought I would have thought placement just meant classroom, um, but maybe it doesn't. Maybe it means they're specific schedule learning environment, the times that they have to meet, exact times and when they have to meet with certain individuals for the reinforcement for their specific challenge. So there's all these kinds of other pieces that are that are involved in this and which complicates um how we are to handle these circumstances. Um, I'll even tell you that there is
a bit of a disagreement between the superintendents that I talked to about Their ability to remove a child from a classroom that has an IP uh um for short periods of time and their understanding is they have that ability under current statute, um, in reviewing this with the department, they felt like that that wasn't necessarily the case and so there was a bit of confusion. At, at the end of the day though this bill is about empowering
our teachers to say, I don't have to take constant abuse. From a student I should not be expected to take ongoing abuse. From a student And we should, we should do everything in our power from this level to ensure that they have the authority to push back and say this student. Has injured me And I don't want to go to my classroom afraid they're gonna do it again. And with that
I'll attempt to answer your questions. Representative Fault,
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:50:39
you're first upper question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I know
they already have a policy where they You know, they, uh, interview the child, they do a lot of things, they just don't take a child and put them in an alternative learning environment because there's other children and other teachers in there. I don't see where you're protecting those students or those teachers and those. Groups
And if you are, can you specifically show me where you are in the bill, because there, I mean, you don't want to take them out of one environment, throw them into another environment where they still can hurt other children. And that the people that are in those alternative learning groups have gone through, um, you know, like an interview and everything to make sure that that's even the appropriate place for them to be, period. But now it looks as though we're just saying, hey, we're going to take this child, there's no interview process, there's nothing we're just gonna put them in what I call alternative
Speaker 313
1:51:36
learning environments, right, and I'm with you on that so we defined in. For our purposes, the interim learning environment. And appropriate interim learning environment means this is on page 4. Line 3436. So, uh Means an appropriate learning environment that's used for a period of time, not to exceed 10 days. Um, in, on page 5 at the top, we include a list of where those
things might be. This might simply be another classroom, um, that, uh, provides the same level of services. This might be a, and this is not a limited list and it did say with without limitation, um, so these can be other things they could place them in in school suspension if that's the appropriate appropriate place for that, uh, alternative learning environment is, of course, uh, that kind of place and I will add. To that that we also addressed. Um, in, in the, the latter portion of this code in section
3, we also addressed funding for alternative learning environments, um, one of the complaints in in talking with some superintendents was that um if we did. If they did choose to place a child for a short period of time in an alternative learning environment because that was the right fit. Our current statute doesn't allow for them to receive funding. Those environments could be built out. Um, given the right kind of funding to have the right kinds of support mechanisms in place.
Most of them currently do not, but they could if they had the right of funding, and that was a concern up front to say hey let's make sure that if we place them in these environments for less than the 20 day maximum, or excuse me, minimum that was in statute. Let's go ahead and fund them for those shorter periods of time so that they could place them in that. Nothing in this bill says they have to be placed in those alternative. uh, learning environments, but we do have to find Somewhere for them. OK, um, follow up, sir. Thank you.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:53:45
So, I know that most injuries happen in, you know, your special education type classes, um, so how would
this apply to those children who are in a special needs class. Well, we do
Speaker 313
1:53:58
stipulate in the bill that they are required to have the same services, right? So, um, what, what in my understanding, talking with superintendents was they were, they felt that they were within line for the law, or excuse me, for the federal mandates
assuming that they were able to continue to provide the exact same schedule, meaning when they're supposed to meet with um their um counselor when they're supposed to meet with this special needs person. And reading specialists, whatever it happened to be, they had to keep those exactly the same if they were in a happened to be in a different classroom. Or Um, next door down the hall wasn't really relevant as long as they maintain the same service level and that wasn't considered a change of placement.
They, they also allows for federal regulations allow for a short period of time to remove those kids out, which is why we stipulated less than 10 days to try to make sure we're in line with federal requirements as well. One last follow up and I'll get out and get
Speaker 323
1:55:02
back in. So, Basically what we're saying is we've got to
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:55:04
find a room within a school building that may not have a room, and we've got to find teachers who can actually or He professionals, am I saying that right? Pa para professionals.
Who can sit with these students, and where did the, the school come up with these extra rooms and the money for these
Speaker 325
1:55:29
extra. Uh, people, well, I don't think it has to be extra. In our, in our bill, it doesn't have to be that they
Speaker 313
1:55:37
go to a completely separate empty room they could just be in a different classroom, uh, the, the explanation that I give around that is, um, the interaction between two individuals, um, a teacher and a student in this case might be, um, the, the difficulty might be
in that. Relationship between those two. It, it might be in the reaction that they have to a specific event that occurred in that classroom and so what we're looking for in this bill is to give them an opportunity to, uh, the, the, the student to still maintain all of the services they need, still continue to get all of the education that they need, um, but not necessarily um in a, in an environment directly related to the, the teacher that
they had the violent event. With this also gives us we have to do the manifest determination um with those children that are IEP, the students that are IEP related to understand what needs to change to help that student no longer have those violent outbreaks, so we mandate we mandate that in this text to ensure that that They get the support that they need to hopefully prevent
another outburst the next round, so we removed the, you know, the, the, try to remove as much of the circumstances as we could that caused the violent outbreak, um, and then try to address that violent challenge um through a through a mediation between all the, the,
Speaker 314
1:57:04
the stakeholders. I'll get out and get back in. I've got several more. Representative Painter, you recognize. Thank
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:57:16
you, Mr. Chair. Um, representative Richardson got a couple of questions, um,
Page 3 lines 10 through 15. Feel like right now we, we already have rules and regs that kind of address some of this. I, I feel like You know what we already have in code says that ALE cannot be a punitive environment, but one that's conducive to learning. But yet when you try to read this, it almost feels like that it's. It is a punitive punishment. Like if you are violent, abusive or whatever, you automatically
shall, it says shall go into ALE and just hearing back from my folks back home that they're concerned about that. And so am I reading I guess to make a question out of that is, in my interpreting that wrong? Uh, I, I'm sorry, you, you said 310 or 150 page 3 lines 10 through 15. you're at.
Oh, maybe I'm on the draft part. I'm sorry. It says where I guess to get everybody it says uh this section, a student who is removed from a class under subsection B of this section due to violent or abusive behavior against a teacher or another
student shall be placed in alternative learning environment. It, it to me, that, that comes across as a punishment automatically.
If you do that, you're automatically sent to ALE and current statute says it can't be punitive. Sorry, I got, I printed this
Speaker 313
1:59:03
15th. So, so, and the bill has changed a lot over, over the last month. So, um, that version, it does not stipulate ALE and that was the one of the concerns that was addressed, um, uh, and was brought to my attention is that people felt like that we were trying to use ALE as a punitive environment, which actually I was looking for the exact opposite effect. What I was looking for is to find an environment that schools could
staff appropriately. Through additional funding so that when they when they had a child that had violent tendencies, they would have the appropriate staff to give them the support that they needed in an environment that was appropriate for their violent challenges which we don't have in a standard classroom. We have changed that and we we use the term we use the term uh uh appropriate in learning environment and then we define
that. later in the bill appropriate interim learning environment is, is, uh, what I read earlier, page 4, lines, um 34, 35, and 6, and, uh, appropriate learning environment is then further defined, uh, at the top of page 5, which gives us a list that includes any other classroom that's currently staffed, um, that could handle it in your larger schools that might be another 2nd grade class, for instance, um.
And your smaller schools that might be the adjacent 3rd grade class or 1st grade class, um, just to give them an opportunity to get that space so we can figure out what's going on and then make some adjustments. I, I
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:00:45
appreciate that and I apologize to the committee of going off January 15th of 2025, uh,
version of this tell you I've been waiting for this bill, um, um, and you just mentioned, uh, additional funding. Can, can you, have you had the talks with the department about that? What
Speaker 313
2:01:02
does that mean? Yes, I have, um, and so all we're doing is we're changing the current model which says that you have to have a child into in alternative learning environment for at least 2 days, and this is if the school chooses. Alternative learning which I think most schools will look at other options because they're not gonna be staffed appropriately to, to handle that necessarily in that environment, so if they choose, they will now receive funding for every day a child spends in that under these circumstances. Now the key to
that is we would like for these schools to create an environment. That can handle children with violent tendencies for short periods of time so that we can make any adjustments to their IEPs, any adjustments to their support mechanisms to get them where they need to
Speaker 315
2:01:48
be so they can return to a to a classroom and I, and I'll, one more and
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:01:53
I'll get back in the, in the queue, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the latitude. Where is that additional
funding coming from though? Currently it's a nominal amount
Speaker 313
2:02:05
as I understand it, and that came from, I do believe we have a Uh fiscal impact, so it's a very small amount and really wouldn't be a significant impact. So on the fiscal impact,
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:02:16
it says nothing, but it did say last fiscal year, the division spent 28/28, almost $29 million for ALE. So when you say
additional funding, I guess I'm ask questioning is that on top of the 29 million or, or is that coming out of that? I, I'm just want to know.
Speaker 313
2:02:38
Well, I, I guess it maybe the department would speak on that. I don't know. I guess it would depend on the number uh because ALE is funded based on the number of uh days that are spent, um, and so all we're doing is these additional 10 days potentially that a student might spend in
Speaker 314
2:02:54
that would come from an ALE funding, but no fiscal impact. So it's we're talking about a small number of, of children that potentially could be used in there if The school chose to use that.
Speaker 339
2:03:08
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll jump back in. And staff is looking to see if there's anybody from the department
that might be hanging out outside the committee room to speak on that a little bit further because I think it's important that we get some kind of clarification on that because it could be. Nominal, uh, but nominal could mean a whole lot of things and so I think it'd be important for us to, uh, to get some pretty good clarity on that, uh, representative.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:03:30
Cozart, uh, you're up for question, as long as you have a post January 15. part of the bill. I, I need to check the dates on this bill
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
2:03:39
that you have on the calendar here today, but
I believe it's correct. Uh, Representative Richardson, you know that I've been on with you ever since you filed this bill.
Yes sir, and I believe evidently said Pater has also um it's, it's been challenging. To keep these little microphones going here. Um, but
anyway, uh, You have addressed some of the things that I had originally, but we're still addressing that AOE which we, I still believe that's the wrong place for these
people, uh, our kids, uh, students, I think we're gonna have to do something else. We know there's gonna be a cost involved, uh, if, uh, and, and I really like the concept, uh, and it's something I have told the Rick Baker, I may have told painter a while ago that my daughter-in-law served as a paraprofessional to do this with special needs kids and was beat up, knocked down on the ground, and, uh, black eyes and things like that, and she finally moved out of that and
went to middle school, which I don't think is much better, but um but anyway, you know, it's, it's a rough world, uh, taking uh care of some of these kids, um, we've got to do something. I think you're on the right track. I'm not sure if we're in the right place or we're to move them to. I think that's really gonna become something that the schools and the superintendents and the uh other people that are
Uh, maybe the AOE directors also that are gonna have to figure out what we've got to do and how much is it is going to cost more money, uh, just because that's what AOE gets funded if you add something to it, it's gonna take more funding, so I do see a fiscal impact coming for this, but I, I believe you're in the right direction. I can't tell you the places to do it with and how to do it, but if uh you take a kid out of a class, that's disruptive, you have definitely helped that class to be able to learn and I
believe that's, that's a great direction that we're heading in, so, um, I'm not gonna. Say more, hopefully before this thing gets all the way somewhere it's going, you can figure out the right place for these
Speaker 313
2:05:55
to go. I appreciate that question and I, I, I appreciate that question and I will, I, I, I kind of alluded to this in the beginning and um Representative Garner can uh help me with it, but we have a second bill that's not necessarily a companion bill, but it's a second bill to try to
address the gap here, right? At the end of the day, um, the this bill suggests that after 3 occurrences of this violence, we can longer support the idea of putting those
Speaker 314
2:06:27
children back into a normal classroom where they're going to continue to abuse our teachers.
Speaker 313
2:06:34
This is a big issue, um, so how do we deal with that, um, and so looking at um alternative methods areas
defining these specific areas in a school district so that we can staff them appropriately, um, either in an individual school district or in multiple school districts that can come together. We, we don't want send these children home, they're not gonna get really any, any additional help there so what do we have to do? Uh, that is a bigger ask and it is a, it's a bigger step, um, and I, I think that we, the bill that we've got coming is a great opportunity for us to get that going, um, as I understand it, uh, Senator Hester is going to file it today, um, so I'm looking forward to getting that
out so that we can actually get some comments back and figure out how to to to bridge that gap between these kids don't need to be in the. classroom because it's not good for them and it's certainly not good for the other students or the teacher that they're committing these violent acts against, so we've got to do something. So how do we best support them? Where can we, where can we put the right kinds of resources to get them the
Speaker 314
2:07:40
help that they need so that they can function better and get that quality education that they deserve.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:07:48
Representative Duke, you're up next, and we do have a representative from the department who are on the way over to speak on the fiscal impact potential represent
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
2:07:57
Duke you recognize, uh, thank you, Mr. Chair and thank you, Reficer Richardson for bringing this bill. Um, we often talk and hear how things look different across the state. This is a conversation I've heard about from members from all across the state do know every week. That I go home, I hear of another teacher or staff member, um, that has been assaulted in classrooms from kindergarten all
Speaker 314
2:08:18
the way through 12. Would you agree with that? I would agree with that and and this is not just a problem in Arkansas. This is nationwide, um, and, and, and we've got to find ways that we can address it. My number one concern
Speaker 313
2:08:32
with this bill is our teachers. Um, we are losing our teachers at a staggering rate Having violence in the classroom that they cannot deal with because they it continues to be repeat. violence, certainly does not encourage them to stick around and teach in that environment. I wouldn't do it. I, I, I think
Speaker 314
2:08:49
they're all saints for doing it themselves, so we have to give them more support, and I'm hopeful that we can get this bill in a position
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
2:08:57
to do that. So, um, They hit some of my questions because I think we all. I think we all agree in here there's a significant problem and I don't think waiting. is we can't keep kicking it down because we are losing teachers. I hear about them. Every week of teachers who are leaving and they don't necessarily tell their Superintendents or their principals why they're leaving, but they tell their family and
friends why they're leaving and discipline is a big part of it. My question on that I'm I'm getting kind of confused on, is it, are you looking at alternative ALE classes or are you looking at, because I keep seeing the interim learning environment classes, which I thought you changed that wording intentionally so it would take, they're not going to LE, they would be going to your point, I understand that. Not everyone has the opportunities. But would you agree that if they have The option not to use LE, but to
find some other way to address these kids and the needs and to de-escalate and keep people safe, because that's like the number one part, right? The number one part, keep them safe. That they might find some creative ways to find that space because
I think they're pretty motivated to get some protections in their classrooms. Would you agree that I
Speaker 314
2:10:09
would agree with that, and that's one of the reasons that we changed the, we do not want these kids, these students
Speaker 313
2:10:16
dumped in an environment that they cannot be supported.
We cannot have that happen, but we do need to encourage some sort of creative solutions. I, I can't say what that that that we're gonna be able to come to a one size fits all for the entire state, um, small schools have their own challenges. Bigger schools have other challenges, um, like I said earlier, you, you in bigger schools, you might have multiple 2nd grade classrooms where you can relocate relocate a a student that's had a violent outbreak where they would perform better and do better, um, and then on the second time, uh, on this, on the other hand, I should say. You've got small school
districts that they may need to use uh a first grade class or a 3rd grade class or a 5th grade class that might be a little bit over that, but the child can still work and still get supported and can can still get the, the, the resources that they need to perform appropriately and all of this is, is, is left up to the discretion of the school district so that they can find the creative solutions to that they need to do to fit their environment. Um, are you aware that
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
2:11:22
Teachers are creatively addressing some of this stuff right now by Taking maybe a child who is acting out in that classroom, maybe not. To the violent degree, because I'm aware of the very violence. We had one recently in Northwest Arkansas that was. all over the news, right? Um, so, but are already sending them to another teacher's classroom to change that dynamic to address. That Heated situation that's going on. So would you agree they're already making some of these news on their own. Absolutely, and they are where this gets to
Speaker 319
2:11:54
be challenging and, and I'll, I'll say it again,
Speaker 314
2:11:57
um, that, that When you start dealing with the children who have special needs and have documented um IEPs or or 501 501 401 504. Thank you. The uh um departments keeping me honest, 504s when these children, there are a number of pieces there that have to be. We have to be very careful with. It's my
Speaker 313
2:12:19
personal opinion, some of this stuff from the federal
level we need to challenge because they are not, it's not completely functional in our classrooms, but this bill was built with the intent of meeting what Um, superintendents understood their, their latitude was, um, what, um, I, I was already hearing from teachers that they were doing, um, and then giving additional latitude beyond that to support those people. Safety is the number one concern in this one, It, it is what it is. We've got to do something, so.
Speaker 314
2:12:56
Uh, and I again, I am very happy to take any feedback from this committee to get Any changes that you want to do to be done in this bill, um, so just. Ask the questions and I'll be happy to handle those. Repent Garner, you're recognized. Thank
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
2:13:14
you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick, uh, comment. I, I really appreciate the work and we've talked about this a lot. Um, one of the things that I think we're not doing is getting the behaviorals involved and I think that's something that, and, and
that's something that we'll work on with the, with the next bill, but, but I do think that there are lots of issues and there are lots of reasons and if we have someone who is extremely violent against a teacher. They don't need to go anywhere else in that classroom. They need to go somewhere else. So I, I do think that there are some things that, um, are good about the bill. And obviously we want the teachers and the students safe. And so I would ask you to look at some other ways to to involve either the social workers in the
district or to figure out uh trauma-based uh trauma informed teachers, those kinds of folks, get them involved in this decision making process because they're the ones that are gonna know which children can stay in
the environment and which ones need um outside outside help. Um, and I would
Speaker 313
2:14:17
just request that. And I, I certainly appreciate that, um, I think we're covered in that um the manifest. Manifest determination review
includes those for those individuals with those challenges, it would not though include those for those that do not currently have a 504 or IEP, um, and I, I, I thought we included those individuals in that, uh, conversation, the social workers and the counselors and and those um as part of the requirement, but in looking at the bill. I do not see. I see teacher, um, it does say school counselor, but it does not, it does not
specifically stipulate that we have the trauma base so that I, I think that's a good ad and I, I'm certainly. I think that that's the right
Speaker 331
2:15:12
decision, so I want to make sure I take that
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
2:15:17
one as well, um. So thank you for that counselors are very different from therapeutic counselors, so I
do think it's important to have trauma-based. trauma informed teachers or um. therapy counselors, therapists.
Either licensed counselors or social workers or and that would fit
Speaker 313
2:15:37
very nicely. Thank you for that it fit very nicely with the bill that we're, we're also working on, absolutely, so that'd be great, um, I'm happy to make
Speaker 317
2:15:44
that ad. Thank you for that. Fall you recognize. Thank you.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
2:15:51
I do think you're You're going in the right direction, so just so you know,
we have a mental health, you know, working group that's been going on, I guess, for, I don't
know, maybe 6 years now. I can't remember 465. Um, and we hear this all the time in that group. I don't think it's a minimal number of people though. I think you might be surprised to know that it's more children than what you think it is, um. And there will be a cost. I mean, because like my small schools, they don't just have classrooms where they can go and take different children and put them um, And these kids don't need to feel like they are.
Being segregated out at the same time. They need to, a lot of them, it is a trauma-based as Representative Garner was talking about. It's a lot of trauma. It's happened and the punishment doesn't help their trauma. We need to go to the root of their trauma and try to get them help from there. I agree protecting teachers, I've got, I've got some teachers in my family. I 100% agree, we got to protect teachers, uh. I don't see that this bill is gonna get you exactly where you want to be, um, but I do think
it's a great start and, and I know you've already worked on it once, so. I'm just saying I think there's a few more things in here that need to be fixed because I don't think ALE is where these students need to go. I, I don't want to put those teachers or those students also at risk. And right now the way I read it, they can be taken out of the classroom and put directly into ALE and that kind of scares me because you've already got kids that's in there that are already struggling with school anyway, and now they're gonna have somebody who could potentially
be very violent in there with them, and that's not gonna help their. learning experience either, so that's something I would
Speaker 313
2:17:46
like for us to look at. OK, thank you for that and your concerns are, are I,
Speaker 314
2:17:52
I've heard them. Other places as well, um, and so, uh, one of the concerns of the um I I believe it was uh Department of Human Services was that foster kids, um, that have a lot of them have the trauma stuff, um, in their background, they're oftentimes. And to use their words, not my
dumped into ALE and these things and that is not the solution. We need to give them the right kind of support so that we can help them and
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
2:18:18
ALE is not supposed to be punitive. So that's another reason that I keep going back to that. We can't like just As I don't like that word either, dump them into a classroom, but thank you I appreciate that and uh
Speaker 315
2:18:29
definitely we'll work in that area. Represent painter you recognize. Trying to catch up to my colleague, uh, Representative Duke for questions, um.
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:18:42
I'm gonna, I'm in a far distant second. Um, I, I agree, I, I'm looking forward to working with you on this, God. Thank you. Like I said, got great intentions, just a little concerned. I'm now looking at the February 26, 2025 version of Bill,
um, the entire committee thanks you. Yes, can you give me a little bit of explanation on page 2 line 29. It says each time a teacher removes a student from class, uh, the principal or the principals that shall not return that student. Seems a little broad.
to me, um. Uh, but can you kind of, kind of help me the
Speaker 313
2:19:18
thinking there. Right, so, so my thinking there is. We need to have, if this is a violent event. There should be a conference held. We need to have, and that's, you see that goes on to talk about the, the conference being held to include the principal, principal designee teacher, the, the school counselor, um, as a request from Representative Garner. We're going to add to that list, um,
the, the trauma, um, teachers or trauma-based counselors to that list to sort of marry that with the bill that we've got coming and so I, I, that, that is on purpose and deliberate. To make sure that we're addressing the need of the child, and I agree with you on that and if we could just
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:19:58
maybe be a little bit more specific, like, you know, maybe each time
a violent event occurs or something like that or abusive or something like that. I, I, to me, that would give me a little comfort because it's more specific. Absolutely. That'll clear up that intent
really nicely, so you, and again, really do appreciate you doing this. I will support you. Person Mayberry, you're recognized
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:20:27
for a question. Thank you. I don't know if we officially have anybody signed up to speak for or against this bill. I'm curious.
We do not know, ma'am. OK, well, I see that this room is filled all the time with teachers, superintendents, school board, and, you know, if you're, if you're gonna work on this bill a little bit, maybe getting, if any of them would be willing to
share some thoughts. I'd love to hear them. I, I, I'm going to encourage someone to come. I'm gonna encourage someone to come forward and while he's still working on it, um, give some thoughts on maybe something that you'd like to see. You, you've got the boots on the ground. You're there every day and, and we're not. So I, uh,
Speaker 316
2:21:05
would you, I would agree with the need for that, and
Speaker 313
2:21:09
I'm always open to input from people who are experts, um, that I am not, so absolutely. If you would please come to the
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:21:17
table and introduce yourself for the record and you're recognized. Bobby
Speaker 364
2:21:25
Hart, Superintendent Cercy School District, um, uh, I think one of the things we need to focus on, and, and I don't disagree with the intent of, uh, Representative Richardson's bill, uh. We need to focus on the why, why our kids Behaving in the manner that they are, and I heard someone mention, uh, therapists and
therapeutic counselors, hey, we would welcome that, but we all understand that those require dollars. And without dollars, that's just not. Doable in many districts, including my own, which we're very fortunate to have some resources and We started a K4 program where we take kids who are similar and it's, it's an alternative program and it's funded through some alternative dollars. But we limit it to 10 kids. We, I think we have 8 in there right now and most all of those are
Rather violent or have some history of, of violence. It costs us a pretty sizable amount of money. We're putting uh a teacher, we're putting two pairprofessions. This is for 8 kids, 2 paraprofessionals. We rotate a special education teacher through there. We rotate our district social worker through there. We rotate our district mental health, uh, director through there, um,
we're, we're bump pouring resources into. those 8 kids. It's not effective long term to do that because You're going to run out of money to do it with, um, but we think that it's an important enough to service those children that we do it. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Representative Richardson or anybody at this table to try to find a long term solution. To the problems that we see behaviorally in our schools, um.
I think, and I, I hate to give Scott. Smith any credit, but You know, um, A trauma informed charter, I think in Bentonville, I'm not mistaken or somewhere in Northwest Arkansas, there, there, there have been examples of that. We would explore all options, and I think I can speak for our colleagues uh in White County and saying we would jump at that opportunity. We just need some, some extra supports and some extra resources to be able to do
that. Uh, and I'll close with this, and I don't want to take too much of your time because we're standing between this group and lunch, um. We thought about contracting with a group, uh, they're out of Arizona or California called Chance Light. I know Fort Smith Public Schools is utilizing them. Um, and, and I think it is a wonderful opportunity and However, districts where 50% free and reduced life for its best school district has 76, 74, 76% free and reduced. That's they, and
they're much larger district. They're able to take some ESA dollars and realign those to to the program from Chance lot was gonna cost us $420,000 a year. Now they put a director, teacher, therapist, the things that we're, that the kids need. But it's about a 40 to $42,000 a kid investment. And, and if we're serious about it, let's invest in it, uh, and I don't want to go down that, that rabbit hole of, hey, we're
building a billion dollar prison. Let's see if we can keep these kids out of prison before they get there, and with that, I'll close and be happy to answer any questions anyone has. Are
there any questions from Doctor Hart? Doctor Hart, thanks for coming to the table unexpectedly. Are there
additional questions from the committee? For Representative Richardson. I, I believe there
Speaker 314
2:25:19
was a question on the amount. Um, and that's the reason we brought the agency back the, the fiscal impact statement. I would hate for
Speaker 325
2:25:28
Her to come all the way over and not get an opportunity to speak on the fiscal impact if you guys wanted to. She likely just enjoys
our faces, so she probably would come anyways, OK. Yeah, oh, my, my recommendation would be if
if you're gonna pull it down, there's work to be done then I would imagine we have we could better probably address that the department could better address that uh once uh the bill has some changes in it. Beautiful that and and with the
Speaker 314
2:25:53
committee's permission, I would love to be able to pull this bill down, continue to get something that we can all be
happy with. So just to clarify and uh this has been a good thing for Representative Richardson, who's been more than willing to work on bills from this committee, so I appreciate everyone's input and his willingness to to make all of his bills better to a place that that it's it's good for students. the city of Arkansas so he's going to pull this bill down HB 1062, we will address it after amendments and seeing no additional business before the committee. House Education stands adjourned. Thank you, Chair. Thank you commit.
Agenda
REGULAR AGENDA
HB1545 K. Brown TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021.
HB1561 Painter TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2025.
HB1571 Ray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM ACT.
HB1598 Brooks TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A NEW ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AND TO REMOVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM SCHOOL RATINGS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL YEARS.
HB1062 R. Scott Richardson TO CREATE THE TEACHER AND STUDENT PROTECTION ACT OF 2025.
HB1495 Hawk CONCERNING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT'S PERMANENT SCHOOL RECORD.
HB1672 McCollum TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION IN ARKANSAS.
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.
SB317 B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES WITH A PROHIBITED FOREIGN PARTY.
HB1705 Duke TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS INFLUENCED THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES TO BE EMBEDDED INTO EXISTING SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE, Mar 13, 2025 | Agenda | 4 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Keith Brooks Chair
Unverified
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
Speaker 27
Speaker 31
Speaker 33
Speaker 36
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
Speaker 64
Speaker 68
Speaker 70
Representative Wade Andrews
Unverified
Speaker 72
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
Speaker 92
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
Speaker 88
Speaker 117
Speaker 163
Speaker 164
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
Speaker 189
Speaker 191
Speaker 196
Speaker 198
Speaker 181
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
Speaker 178
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
Speaker 224
Speaker 235
Speaker 234
Speaker 258
Speaker 265
Speaker 269
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
Speaker 282
Speaker 283
Speaker 284
Mark Diggs
Unverified
Speaker 292
Speaker 295
Speaker 297
Speaker 110
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
Speaker 313
Speaker 314
Speaker 323
Speaker 325
Speaker 266
Speaker 315
Speaker 339
Speaker 319
Speaker 331
Speaker 317
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
Speaker 316
Speaker 364