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SB 184

TO TRANSFER THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION AND THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Wayne Long and 2 co-sponsors

Senate Bill 184 sought to streamline Arkansas education by transferring the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and State Library Board's duties to the Department of Education.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · SB 184

Summary of Senate Bill 184

Bill Number: SB 184
Title: To Transfer the Powers and Duties of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board to the Department of Education
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: February 03, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 184 aimed to streamline the governance of educational resources in Arkansas by transferring the responsibilities of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board to the Department of Education. The intent was to consolidate these functions under a single agency to enhance efficiency and oversight in educational media and library services.

Key Provisions

  1. Abolition of Commissions:

    • The bill proposed the abolition of both the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board.
    • All authority, duties, functions, records, contracts, personnel, property, and unexpended balances of appropriations from these entities would be transferred to the Department of Education.

  2. Transfer of Powers:

    • The statutory powers and duties of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board would be transferred to the Department of Education, including budgeting and purchasing functions.

  3. Continuation of Existing Regulations:

    • Orders, rules, directives, registration, licensing, and standards established by both commissions prior to the bill's enactment would remain in effect until amended or repealed by the Department of Education.

  4. Amendments to Arkansas Code:

    • The bill included provisions to change the name of Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 3, from "Arkansas Educational Television Commission" to "Arkansas Educational Television."
    • It also called for the repeal of specific sections of the Arkansas Code related to the commissions.

Impact

  • Affected Entities:

    • The bill would have directly impacted the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board by dissolving them and redistributing their functions to the Department of Education.
    • Educational institutions and library services across Arkansas would be affected by the changes in governance and oversight.

  • Operational Changes:

    • The Department of Education would assume new responsibilities, potentially leading to changes in how educational television and library services are managed and funded.

Legislative Timeline

  • February 03, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time.
  • February 13, 2025: Returned by the Senate Committee with a recommendation to pass.
  • February 17, 2025: Read the third time and passed in the Senate; transmitted to the House.
  • May 05, 2025: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 184 represented a significant shift in the management of educational resources in Arkansas, aiming to consolidate functions under the Department of Education. However, the bill ultimately did not progress past the House Committee stage, resulting in its failure to become law.

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

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