Bill
HB 1786
Expands Arkansas National Guard tuition benefits to cover private, nonprofit Arkansas colleges, matching aid to what would be available at state-supported schools.
Note on documents: The materials supplied appear to conflate at least three different bills all labeled “HB 1786” from different jurisdictions or sessions:
- A bill titled in the header: “Appropriation; IHL to strengthen poultry science research and programs at Alcorn State” (no substantive text provided).
- An Arkansas bill (text and fiscal note provided) that would extend a tuition benefit to Arkansas National Guard members attending certain private colleges and universities.
- An Illinois bill (full text excerpt included) creating a Task Force to study ranked‑choice voting for State and local elections.
Below is a focused, objective summary of the Arkansas HB 1786 (text and fiscal note are substantive in the packet), plus brief notes on the other two items and procedural inconsistencies.
Purpose and intent
- To expand eligibility for an existing Arkansas National Guard tuition benefit so that soldiers and airmen may receive the benefit when attending certain private, nonprofit Arkansas colleges and universities.
Key provisions
- Amends Arkansas Code § 6-60-214 by adding:
- Subsection (j): A soldier or airman attending a private institution of higher education may receive a tuition benefit under this section up to an amount equal to what they would have received if attending a state‑supported college or university.
- Subsection (k): Defines “private institution of higher education” as a private, nonprofit two‑ or four‑year college or university with primary headquarters in Arkansas that is eligible for Title IV federal student aid.
Affected parties and fiscal impact
- Primary beneficiaries: Soldiers and airmen of the Arkansas National Guard who choose to attend eligible private, nonprofit Arkansas colleges or universities.
- Institutions: Eligible private, nonprofit Arkansas two‑ and four‑year colleges and universities that participate (Title IV eligible, headquartered in Arkansas).
- Fund impact: Fiscal note (Arkansas Department of Education, 3/17/2025) reports $0 net revenue impact — the change expands choices but is not expected to increase participation; payments are capped at the level of benefit that would have been provided for attendance at a state‑supported institution. Affected fund: Higher Education Grants Fund.
Procedural notes in packet
- Amendment H1 adds Senator J. Bryant as a sponsor/co-sponsor.
- Document shows the bill was engrossed (as of 04/02/2025) with sponsor Rep. Brooks.
- Fiscal note dated 3/17/2025.
Because the provided materials combine multiple distinct bills with the same number, verify the jurisdiction (state) and bill text you intend to track. If you want a full summary of the poultry appropriation bill or the Illinois ranked‑choice voting bill, please supply the relevant, complete text or indicate which one to summarize.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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