Bill
HB 1999
Requires ADE to send SNAP info (written and electronic) to FAFSA filers with zero or negative SAI, with DHS consultation, to raise awareness and enrollment.
Status: Died in committee (House) — Sine Die adjournment (May 5, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Rep. D. Garner. Co-sponsors: Reps. McCullough and D. Whitaker. Chief co-sponsor added: Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.
Note on source materials: Documents provided include conflicting items (an unrelated suffrage title referring to Thomas G. Owens and an unrelated Illinois appropriation bill). This summary is based on the Arkansas bill text and the Arkansas Department of Education fiscal-impact statement included among the materials, which describe an education/SNAP outreach measure.
Purpose
- To require the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) to provide written and electronic information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to certain postsecondary students who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have a student aid index (SAI) of zero or negative for the year.
Key provisions
- New Arkansas Code section (proposed): 6-80-111 — “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program information.”
- (a) ADE Secretary must send written and electronic materials to each student who:
- submits a FAFSA, and
- has a zero or negative student aid index for the year,
- Materials must cover:
1. Potential eligibility for SNAP;
2. The SNAP application process; and
3. How to contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding SNAP.
- (b) ADE must consult with the DHS Secretary to design the required communications.
Fiscal and administrative notes
- Affected fund: Higher Education Fund.
- Revenue/overall fiscal impact: Unknown (fiscal-impact statement from ADE).
- ADE comments: ADE (and ADHE) do not receive FAFSA data for all Arkansas students. Only students who apply for certain state programs (e.g., Academic Challenge scholarship) submit the FAFSA data ADE relies on, which may limit ADE’s ability to identify and reach all qualifying students. FAFSA processing is handled by the U.S. Department of Education, which constrains state access to complete FAFSA data.
- Administrative effects would include coordinating with DHS and preparing/sending communications (electronic and written) to the targeted student subset.
Who would be affected
- Primary: Students in Arkansas postsecondary institutions who submit a FAFSA and have a zero or negative SAI (those indicating highest financial need).
- State agencies: Arkansas Department of Education (responsible for outreach) and Department of Human Services (consultation and SNAP administration).
- Postsecondary institutions and student services may see indirect effects (increased referrals or student inquiries).
Procedural history (selected)
- Introduced/Filed: January 22, 2025 (bill text dated Spring 2025 session).
- Read and referred through House committees (Education, Human Services, Judiciary B/Rules at various points).
- Died in House committee at Sine Die adjournment (May 5, 2025).
Potential impacts (if enacted)
- Could increase awareness of SNAP among eligible college students and potentially raise student SNAP enrollment.
- Would impose modest administrative duties on ADE and require interagency coordination with DHS.
- Implementation scope may be limited by state access to FAFSA/SAI data; actual reach could be smaller than intended without additional data-sharing or program changes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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