The bill amends the Arkansas Constitution, specifically Article 19, Section 14, to allow lottery proceeds to be used for funding scholarships and grants for Arkansas citizens enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. The current language, which restricts the use of lottery proceeds to public and private non-profit two-year and four-year colleges and universities, is modified to include public and private vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. The General Assembly is tasked with establishing criteria for eligibility for these scholarships and grants.

Additionally, the bill updates the definitions of "approved institution of higher education" in various Arkansas Code sections to include public and private vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. This change broadens the scope of institutions eligible for participation in scholarship programs funded by lottery proceeds, thereby enhancing educational opportunities for students pursuing vocational and technical training in the state.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1415 V2 - 2-20-2023 11:44 AM: 6-85-204(3), 6-85-302(1), 6-85-306, 6-85-402(1)
Old version HB1415 V3 - 2-28-2023 10:27 AM: 6-85-204(3), 6-85-302(1), 6-85-306, 6-85-402(1)
HB 1415: 6-85-204(3), 6-85-302(1), 6-85-306, 6-85-402(1)