The bill seeks to enhance government efficiency within the Arkansas Department of Education by restructuring and repealing certain boards and commissions. Notable amendments include limiting members of the Professional Licensure Standards Board to three terms and allowing for electronic submission of ethics complaints. The board will also establish procedures for investigating complaints, enforcing the code of ethics, and imposing sanctions for violations. A new ethics subcommittee will be created, featuring equal representation from teachers and administrators to oversee these processes. Significant deletions include the repeal of the School Worker Defense Program Advisory Board and the Academic Facilities Review Board, which previously managed appeals related to school facilities and worker defense.

Additionally, the bill modifies the procedures and membership of the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation. It removes the requirement for the board to notify the appellant public school district and the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation within ten business days of a final determination. The review process for board determinations that lead to increased state financial participation in projects is also eliminated. The membership composition is updated to allow the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the President of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority to appoint designees, aiming to streamline operations and clarify member roles.

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)