The bill seeks to amend various provisions of the Arkansas Code to improve the efficiency of government operations, particularly within the Department of Education. Key changes include the restructuring and repeal of certain boards and commissions, such as the School Worker Defense Program Advisory Board, and the establishment of clearer procedures for handling ethics complaints against educators. A significant insertion is the limitation on the number of terms a member can serve on the Professional Licensure Standards Board, capping it at three terms. The bill also allows for the submission of ethics complaints electronically or in writing and outlines the responsibilities of the ethics subcommittee, including the authority to impose sanctions for ethical violations.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Professional Licensure Standards Board issue orders detailing findings of fact and conclusions of law after hearings on ethics complaints, and it permits public disclosure of information regarding ethics violations. It modifies the appeals process for public school districts concerning decisions made by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, removing the requirement for timely notifications to appellants. The bill also updates the membership composition of the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, allowing key officials to appoint designees, thereby streamlining operations and enhancing accountability within the education system in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
HB 1941: 6-17-422(d), 6-17-428(b), 6-17-428(i), 6-17-428(q), 6-17-1113(f), 6-17-1118, 6-17-1113, 6-20-2513, 6-20-2516, 25-15-201, 6-20-2513(a), 25-16-902, 6-21-114(a)
Act 809: 6-17-422(d), 6-17-428(b), 6-17-428(i), 6-17-428(q), 6-17-1113(f), 6-17-1118, 6-17-1113, 6-20-2513, 6-20-2516, 25-15-201, 6-20-2513(a), 25-16-902, 6-21-114(a)