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 requirements for specific 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, among others. For instance, the bill deletes provisions that mandated a certain number of female and minority members on these boards, allowing for appointments based solely on qualifications rather than demographic representation.

Additionally, the bill repeals sections that required diversity in the membership of local advisory groups and other educational and health-related boards. It also introduces a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. Overall, the legislation reflects a shift towards merit-based appointments rather than those influenced by demographic factors.

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)