The bill aims to eliminate racial and gender quotas and qualifications for membership on various boards, committees, councils, and commissions in Arkansas. Key amendments include the removal of specific requirements for gender and racial representation in the Arkansas Financial Education Commission, the State Board of Education, and the Commission on Closing the Achievement Gap in Arkansas. For instance, the requirement for at least one female and one racial minority member in the Arkansas Financial Education Commission has been deleted, as well as similar stipulations in other sections regarding the representation of minorities and women.

Additionally, the bill repeals sections that mandated diversity in the membership of local advisory groups and other educational bodies, thereby allowing for appointments based solely on qualifications rather than demographic representation. The legislation also introduces a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. Overall, the bill reflects a significant shift in the approach to board and commission appointments in Arkansas, moving away from mandated diversity towards a focus on qualifications alone.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1365 V2 - 4-1-2025 09:55 AM: 6-1-703(b), 6-11-101(c), 6-15-1601(b), 04-01-2025, 6-15-1603(b), 6-15-2502(d), 6-61-529(b), 17-19-106(b), 17-22-201(b), 17-27-201(b), 17-80-301, 17-80-302, 17-88-202(b), 17-92-201(a), 20-14-508(b), 20-47-505(a), 20-48-203(a), 20-78-703(b), 22-3-303(b), 23-61-1011(b), 24-7-301(3), 26-57-255(a)
Old version HB1365 Original - 1-31-2025 01:39 PM: 6-1-703(b), 6-11-101(c), 6-15-1601(b), 6-15-1603(b), 6-15-2502(d), 6-61-529(b), 7-6-217(b), 17-19-106(b), 17-22-201(b), 17-27-201(b), 17-80-301, 17-80-302, 17-88-202(b), 17-92-201(a), 20-14-508(b), 20-47-505(a), 20-48-203(a), 20-78-703(b), 22-3-303(b), 23-61-1011(b), 24-7-301(3), 26-57-255(a)
HB 1365: 6-1-703(b), 6-11-101(c), 6-15-1601(b), 6-15-1603(b), 6-15-2502(d), 6-61-529(b), 7-6-217(b), 17-19-106(b), 17-22-201(b), 17-27-201(b), 17-80-301, 17-80-302, 17-88-202(b), 17-92-201(a), 20-14-508(b), 20-47-505(a), 20-48-203(a), 20-78-703(b), 22-3-303(b), 23-61-1011(b), 24-7-301(3), 26-57-255(a)
Act 938: 6-1-703(b), 6-11-101(c), 6-15-1601(b), 04-01-2025, 6-15-1603(b), 6-15-2502(d), 6-61-529(b), 17-19-106(b), 17-22-201(b), 17-27-201(b), 17-80-301, 17-80-302, 17-88-202(b), 17-92-201(a), 20-14-508(b), 20-47-505(a), 20-48-203(a), 20-78-703(b), 22-3-303(b), 23-61-1011(b), 24-7-301(3), 26-57-255(a)