This 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 introduction of clearer procedures for handling ethics complaints against educators. Notably, the bill limits members of the Professional Licensure Standards Board to a maximum of three terms and allows ethics complaints to be submitted electronically or in writing. It also outlines the responsibilities of the ethics subcommittee, including the authority to impose sanctions for ethical violations, and mandates that findings of fact and conclusions of law be documented in the board's orders.

Additionally, the bill modifies the appeals process for public school districts regarding decisions made by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, removing the requirement for the board to notify the appellant within ten business days of its final determination. It eliminates the review process by the commission for determinations that would result in increased state financial participation and updates the membership composition of the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to allow for designees from key departments. These amendments aim to streamline operations and enhance accountability within Arkansas's education system.

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)