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SB 246

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2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Gruters and 1 co-sponsor

Senate Bill 246 boosts Arkansas students' access to higher education by increasing scholarships, creating new programs, and standardizing application processes.

Chapter No. 2026-30
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Bill Summary · SB 246

Summary of Senate Bill 246: Arkansas ACCESS Act

Overview

Bill Number: SB 246
Title: Relating to Coral Reefs
Introduced: February 17, 2025
Status: Referred to WTL, WAM
Classification: Bill
Subject: Appropriations, Coral Reef Herbivores, Coral Reefs, DLNR, NOAA, Report

Senate Bill 246, known as the Arkansas ACCESS Act, aims to amend various provisions of the Arkansas Code related to education. The bill seeks to enhance educational opportunities and accessibility for students in Arkansas, particularly focusing on higher education funding and scholarship programs.

Main Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of SB 246 is to improve access to higher education for Arkansas students through the establishment of new scholarship programs and the amendment of existing educational frameworks. The bill emphasizes the importance of college and career readiness, aiming to align educational standards with workforce needs.

Key Provisions

  • Creation of the Arkansas ACCESS Act: This act introduces several changes to the Arkansas Code to facilitate better educational access.

  • Scholarship Amendments:

    • Academic Challenge Scholarship: Increases the freshman award from $1,000 to $2,000, estimated to cost an additional $8.72 million annually.
    • Governor’s Scholar Program: Expands eligibility to high school students graduating with an associate degree or diploma of distinction, costing an estimated $5 million per year.
    • Workforce Challenge Scholarship: Adjustments to award levels and eligibility criteria are projected to impact proceeds by approximately $9.06 million annually.
    • ACCESS to Acceleration Program: A new scholarship program aimed at concurrent credit students, estimated to cost $15.5 million per year.

  • Common Course Numbering System: Establishes a statewide system to standardize course numbering across institutions, with estimated development costs of $250,000.

  • Common Application System: Introduces a unified application process for students, also estimated at $250,000 for development and support.

  • Consolidation of Scholarships: Merges the Military Dependent and Law Enforcement Officer Dependent scholarships into the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship without generating new fiscal impacts.

Affected Parties

  • Students: The bill primarily benefits Arkansas students seeking higher education by providing increased financial support and scholarship opportunities.
  • Educational Institutions: Colleges and universities will need to adapt to the new scholarship frameworks and potentially adjust their funding models.
  • State Agencies: The Arkansas Department of Education and other state agencies will be involved in implementing the new systems and managing the scholarship programs.

Procedural Aspects

  • Timeline: The bill was introduced on February 17, 2025, and has undergone several readings and amendments before being reported correctly enrolled on March 18, 2025.
  • Amendments: The bill has been amended twice, with significant changes made to scholarship structures and reporting requirements.
  • Fiscal Impact: The overall impact on lottery proceeds is estimated at $22.66 million, with various adjustments to existing scholarship funding.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 246 represents a significant step towards enhancing educational access and readiness in Arkansas. By increasing scholarship funding and creating new programs, the bill aims to support students in achieving their academic and career goals, ultimately benefiting the state's workforce and economy.

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

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