TO AMEND INITIATED ACT 1 OF 2000, ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS ACT; AND TO DIRECT THE ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A GRANT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Pilkington and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1723 aimed to allocate $500,000 annually to support school-based health centers in minority-majority districts, enhancing health access for underserved students.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Summary of House Bill 1723

Bill Number: HB 1723
Title: To Amend Initiated Act 1 of 2000, Also Known as the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act; and to Direct the Arkansas Minority Health Commission to Establish and Administer a Grant Program for School-Based Health Centers
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: March 10, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1723 aimed to amend the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act of 2000 to enhance funding for school-based health centers specifically in minority-majority school districts. The bill sought to direct the Arkansas Minority Health Commission to establish and administer a grant program to support these health centers, thereby improving health access and outcomes for minority populations in Arkansas.

Key Provisions

Amendment to Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act:

The bill proposed changes to Arkansas Code § 19-12-110(c)(4), which governs the allocation of funds from the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds.
It specified that 23% of the proceeds would be allocated to the Minority Health Initiative and the grant program for school-based health centers.

Funding Allocation:

The bill mandated an annual allocation of $500,000 specifically for the grant program for school-based health centers.

Establishment of Grant Program:

The Arkansas Minority Health Commission was tasked with establishing and administering the grant program.
The program was designed to provide funding exclusively to school-based health centers located in minority-majority school districts—defined as districts where racial or ethnic minorities constitute the majority of the student population.

Regulatory Framework:

The Arkansas Minority Health Commission was required to create rules for the grant program that would align with existing regulations governing the Arkansas School-Based Health Center Grant Program.

Timeline for Implementation:

The commission was instructed to file the final rules for the grant program with the Secretary of State by January 1, 2026, or as soon as practicable after necessary approvals.

Impact

Target Population: The bill was intended to benefit students in minority-majority school districts by improving access to health services through school-based health centers.

Health Outcomes: By providing targeted funding, the bill aimed to address health disparities among minority populations in Arkansas.

Legislative Actions

March 10, 2025: The bill was filed and read for the first time, with rules suspended for a second reading.

May 5, 2025: The bill died in the House Committee at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not advance for further consideration.

In summary, HB 1723 represented an effort to leverage tobacco settlement funds to improve health services in underserved communities, although it ultimately did not progress through the legislative process.