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HB 1152

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMIC FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2025 Regular Session

Act 544 allocates over $215 million to enhance Arkansas public school facilities and transportation, ensuring staff support and improved educational services.

Notification that HB1152 is now Act 544
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Bill Summary · HB 1152

Summary of House Bill 1152 (Act 544)

Overview

House Bill 1152, now known as Act 544, was introduced on January 16, 2025, during the 95th General Assembly of Arkansas. The bill focuses on appropriating funds for the Department of Education's Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of HB 1152 is to ensure adequate funding for personal services and operational expenses associated with public school academic facilities and transportation. This funding is crucial for maintaining and improving educational infrastructure and services within Arkansas public schools.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant appropriations and provisions:

1. Employee Salaries and Operations

  • Establishes a maximum number of regular employees for the Department of Education's Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.
  • Appropriates funds for regular salaries and operational expenses, including:
    • Regular Salaries: $1,824,466
    • Extra Help (temporary employees): $2,500
    • Personal Services Matching: $684,412
    • Maintenance & General Operation: $319,311
    • Safety Training: $207,500
  • Total Operations Appropriation: $3,062,839

2. Grants and Aid for Academic Facilities

  • Allocates funds for various programs aimed at supporting public school districts, including:
    • Academic Facilities Partnership: $211,828,951
    • Academic Facilities Catastrophic Circumstances Program: $3,511,538
  • Total Programs Appropriation: $215,340,489

3. Transfer Authority

  • Authorizes the Department of Education to transfer funds for the Open-Enrollment Public Charter School Facilities Loan Program, enhancing flexibility in managing resources.
  • Limits the Department to submitting no more than two transfer requests per fiscal year, ensuring legislative oversight.

4. Compliance with Other Laws

  • Ensures that disbursement of funds complies with existing state laws and regulations, including procurement and budgetary procedures.

Impact

The passage of HB 1152 is expected to:
- Provide necessary funding for the operational needs of the Department of Education, which directly impacts the maintenance and improvement of public school facilities and transportation services.
- Support the employment of staff essential for managing academic facilities and transportation, thereby enhancing educational services.
- Facilitate financial assistance to public school districts, particularly those facing extraordinary circumstances or rapid growth.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 16, 2025: Bill filed and introduced.
  • April 3, 2025: Passed in the House and sent to the Senate.
  • April 7, 2025: Passed in the Senate; emergency clause adopted.
  • April 10, 2025: Notification that HB 1152 is now Act 544.

In summary, HB 1152 is a critical piece of legislation aimed at ensuring the effective operation and support of Arkansas's public school academic facilities and transportation systems for the upcoming fiscal year.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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