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Bill Summary · HB 1023

Summary of House Bill 1023

Bill Number: HB 1023
Title: To Amend the State Teacher Education Program; and to Amend the Eligibility Requirements for Loan Forgiveness and the Loan Repayment Amounts Under the State Teacher Education Program
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: November 20, 2024
Sponsor: Rep. A. Collins

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1023 aimed to amend the existing State Teacher Education Program in Arkansas. The primary intent was to enhance the eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness and to increase the loan repayment amounts available to teachers participating in the program. This legislation sought to address teacher shortages in specific subject areas and geographic locations by providing more substantial financial incentives for educators.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to the State Teacher Education Program:

  1. Eligibility Requirements:

    • Expanded eligibility to include teachers in public early childhood education programs, in addition to those teaching in K-12 settings.
    • Required applicants to hold either a valid Arkansas teacher's license or a birth through prekindergarten teaching credential.

  2. Loan Repayment Amounts:

    • Increased the annual loan repayment amount from $6,000 to $10,000 for eligible teachers.
    • Extended the maximum repayment period from three years to five years for teachers who graduated from a teacher education program after April 2004.

  3. Targeted Areas:

    • Loan repayments would be prioritized for teachers working in subject areas or geographic regions identified as having a critical shortage of teachers.

  4. Exclusions:

    • Teachers classified under intensive support status would be ineligible for loan repayment funds.

Fiscal Impact

The fiscal impact statement estimated a revenue impact of $1,570,769 based on a projected 40% increase in current award levels. This calculation considered the number of licensed K-12 teachers who received awards and applied similar percentages to early childhood education teachers.

Affected Parties

The bill would have primarily affected:
- Public School Teachers: Those teaching in K-12 and early childhood education settings.
- Educational Institutions: Schools in areas with teacher shortages would benefit from increased teacher retention.
- State Education Funding: The changes would have implications for the Higher Ed Grants Fund, which is supported by general revenue and the Education Trust Fund.

Legislative Timeline

  • November 20, 2024: Bill filed.
  • January 13, 2025: Read for the first time and referred to the House Education Committee.
  • January 16, 2025: Amendment No. 1 adopted; bill reported correctly engrossed.
  • May 5, 2025: Bill died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Conclusion

While HB 1023 aimed to provide significant enhancements to the State Teacher Education Program, it ultimately did not progress beyond the committee stage. The proposed changes reflected a commitment to addressing teacher shortages and improving educational outcomes in Arkansas.

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

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