The proposed bill aims to establish salary bases for nursing program faculty in Arkansas by amending the Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 63, Subchapter 1. It introduces a new section, 6-63-106, which mandates that institutions of higher education or technical programs offering nursing degrees must maintain faculty salaries at or above the national fiftieth percentile salary recommendations set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. This requirement is based on factors such as institution type, faculty education, and faculty rank.

Additionally, the bill allows these institutions to apply for one-time funds under the American Rescue Plan Act to cover the initial expenses necessary to meet the established salary benchmarks. This provision aims to support nursing programs in achieving competitive compensation for their faculty, thereby enhancing the quality of nursing education in the state.