The bill seeks to amend various laws governing higher education in Arkansas, notably by formally establishing the Arkansas Research Education and Optical Network as a state entity. It repeals the requirement for affirmative action programs at higher education institutions and eliminates related reporting requirements. Additionally, it removes laws concerning the duplication of services among educational institutions and modifies the Comprehensive Arkansas Higher Education Annual Report by omitting references to affirmative action program plans. The new legal language introduced outlines the governance structure of the Arkansas Research Education and Optical Network, detailing its powers and duties, including the development of a high-speed optical communications network for higher education and healthcare institutions.

Moreover, the bill makes significant changes to employment practices at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences by removing references to "unclassified" positions concerning overtime and incentive pay, thus broadening eligibility for these benefits. It allows the Board of Trustees to offer special compensation allowances for registered nurses and authorizes the sale of donated land. The bill also adjusts reporting requirements for equal employment hiring programs and clarifies that employee benefits and sick leave compensation apply to all employees of state-supported institutions, regardless of classification. Additionally, it specifies that leasing responsibilities do not apply to higher education institutions, granting them greater autonomy in managing their leasing activities.

Statutes affected:
SB 358: 6-60-703(b), 6-61-141, 6-61-221(d), 6-62-314, 19-4-1415(b), 6-62-606(b), 6-63-103, 6-63-321, 6-64-218, 19-4-1415(c), 21-3-101(b), 21-4-203(12), 21-4-503, 21-4-501, 21-4-504, 6-58-105, 6-59-105, 21-4-505, 24-4-101, 21-4-207, 22-2-114(c)