The proposed 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, 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 criteria.

Additionally, the bill repeals sections that previously required diversity in the composition 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 deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. Overall, the legislation reflects a significant shift in the approach to board appointments, focusing on qualifications rather than demographic representation.

Statutes affected:
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)
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)
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)