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Bill Summary · HB 1236

Summary of House Bill 1236 (HB 1236)

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: HB 1236
  • Title: Relating to Legislative Employees
  • Introduced On: January 27, 2025
  • Status: Referred to LMG/LAB, FIN, referral sheet 4
  • Classification: Bill
  • Subject: Collective Bargaining, Legislative Staff, Public Employees, Repeal

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1236 aims to provide public school employees with the ability to unilaterally rescind their employment contracts for the upcoming school year. This legislation is designed to give educators more flexibility in their employment decisions, particularly in light of changing personal circumstances or professional opportunities.

Key Provisions

  • Contract Rescission:

    • Public school employees, including those at open-enrollment public charter schools, can rescind their signed contracts for the subsequent school year.
    • To do so, they must submit a signed, written request to their school district superintendent or the charter school director.
    • The request must be submitted by the end of the business day on May 15. If May 15 falls on a weekend, the request must be submitted by the end of the business day on the preceding Friday.

  • Emergency Clause:

    • The bill includes an emergency clause, which allows it to take effect immediately upon approval by the Governor or if the Governor does not veto it within the specified timeframe. This is intended to ensure that public school districts can draft and issue employee contracts in a timely manner for the 2025-2026 school year.

Affected Parties

  • Public School Employees: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are public school employees who may wish to change their employment status for the upcoming school year.
  • Public School Districts and Charter Schools: These entities will need to adjust their contract drafting processes to accommodate the new rescission policy.

Fiscal Impact

  • The fiscal impact statement indicates that there is no expected revenue impact from this legislation.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 27, 2025: Bill filed and first reading.
  • February 3, 2025: Amendment No. 1 adopted; bill reported correctly engrossed.
  • February 5, 2025: Bill passed in the House and referred to the Senate.
  • February 11, 2025: Bill passed in the Senate; emergency clause adopted.
  • February 13, 2025: Notification that HB 1236 is now Act 53.

Related Legislation

  • Companion Bill: SB 105

This summary provides a concise overview of House Bill 1236, detailing its purpose, key provisions, and the potential impact on public school employees and districts in Arkansas.

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

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