The bill proposes the dissolution of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board, transferring their powers and duties to the Department of Education. This transition includes the transfer of all authority, functions, records, personnel, and unexpended funds from both entities to the Department of Education. Existing orders, rules, or standards established by these commissions will remain in effect until amended or repealed by the Department. The bill also includes amendments to the Arkansas Code to remove references to the abolished commissions and introduces new provisions for the Secretary of the Department of Education to manage state and federal library aid programs, ensuring continued support for library services in Arkansas.

Furthermore, the bill eliminates the requirement for the Governor to appoint board members for the State Library Board and repeals several sections that defined the board's powers, duties, and governance structure. It updates various references throughout the Arkansas Code to reflect the new governance framework, replacing mentions of the State Library Board with the Department of Education. This streamlining aims to enhance the integration of library services within the state's educational system, thereby improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of library governance in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
SB 184: 6-3-101, 6-3-103, 6-3-102, 25-16-901, 6-3-104, 6-3-109, 6-3-105, 6-3-106, 6-3-107, 6-3-108, 6-3-110(a), 6-3-112, 6-3-113, 27-67-311, 13-2-204, 13-2-205, 13-2-206, 13-2-207(1), 13-2-207(10), 13-2-208(a), 13-2-209(a), 13-2-509(c), 13-2-601, 13-2-605, 19-5-304(3), 25-11-203, 25-16-903(16), 25-16-903(21), 25-43-502(14)