ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Bill Status Report
06-29-2007 - 10:49:05

- Indicates action since the request date.

Track: Website   Request Date: 0- 0-0000 thru 99-99-9999

HB 1011  
 		 Pyle Requires the addresses of school district employees be deleted from district contracts that are published on the Department of Education's website under provisions of ACA 6-11-129(a).
Bill History: 02-05-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
02-06-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
02-06-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 54)

HB 1032  
 		 Walters Requires persons serving as substitute teachers to be high school graduates or hold a graduate equivalent degree.
Bill History: 02-05-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
02-06-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
02-06-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 57)

HB 1039  
 		 Wells Sets physical eduation and activity requirements as one hour per week of physical education instruction and 90 minutes of physical activity for grades K-6, one hour of physical education for grades 7-8, and one-half unit for 9-12.
Bill History: 03-14-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
03-15-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-19-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 317)

HB 1041  
 		 Walters Requires courts to send to the juvenile's school counselor a copy of any court order restricting the juvenile's contact with another juvenile; requires the school to keep the information confidential.
Bill History: 02-02-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
02-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
02-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 49)

HB 1071  
 		 Walters Makes technical changes to the law regarding substitute teacher degree requirements.
Bill History: 01-30-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
01-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
01-31-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 46)

HB 1072  
 		 Walters Provides a definition of "bullying" and requires that definition be included in school district policies regarding bullying; requires the prohibition of electronic acts of bullying, regardless of whether the act originated away from school property.
Bill History: 02-14-07 H House concurred in Senate amendments
02-14-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
02-15-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 115)

HB 1145  
 		 Evans, D. Requires schools to immediately notify a student's parent or guardian when the student is suspension; requires parents or guardians to provide schools a primary call number, e-mail and regular mail address.
Bill History: 02-22-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
02-22-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
02-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 159)

HB 1173  
 		 Anderson Removes the requirement that school districts notify parents of students' body mass index percentile and of the possible health effects of body mass index and nutrition.
Bill History: 03-02-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 2
03-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-05-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 201)

HB 1196  
 		 Prater Extends authority for the Commission on Eye and Vision Care of School Age Children from 6/30/2007 to 6/30/2011; establishes a special revenue fund to be used by the Commission.
Bill History: 02-16-07 H Placed on the House calendar
02-16-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
02-21-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 138)

HB 1274  
 		 Creekmore Requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board to promulgate guidelines for the disclosure to students of information regarding a sex offender and for institutions of higher education to adopt a written policy using the guidelines.
Bill History: 02-21-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
02-21-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
02-23-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 147)

HB 1402  
 		 Wyatt Exempts public school districts, correctional facilities, juvenile and adult detention facilities, and mental health facilities from provisions of the Shielded Outdoor Lighting Act.
Bill History: 02-15-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 33/N: 0)
02-15-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
02-15-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 124)

HB 1426  
 		 Walters Authorizes charitable bingo and raffles, prescribes governance by the Department of Finance and Administration, licensing, and fees.
Bill History: 03-14-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 4
03-15-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-20-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 388)

HB 1431  
 		 Blount Creates a lifetime teaching license for license holders over 65 years of age, who would be exempt from annual professional development requirements if serving as a substitute teacher or tutor.
Bill History: 02-22-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
02-22-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
02-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 169)

HB 1460  
 		 Pickett Changes the definition of "athletic expenditures" for purposes of school reporting and requires the Division of Legislative Audit to review the athletic expenditure reports of each school district at least once each five years.
Bill History: 03-05-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 25/N: 4)
03-06-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 255)

HB 1477  
 		 Pickett Requires the State Police Department establish rules and criteria for school fire inspections and establishes procedures for enforcing timely inspection reporting requirements, authorizing the quorum court to suspend fire department funding.
Bill History: 03-22-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-23-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 538)

HB 1479  
 		 Wagner Requires school districts with classified personnel contracts calling for a higher employer contribution for health insurance than for certified employees, to freeze that rate until the contribution for certified personnel catches up.
Bill History: 03-12-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
03-12-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-16-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 306)

HB 1487  
 		 Blount Adds a condition to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship requiring recipients complete sixty hours of training in literacy and college readiness skills and serve as a literacy tutor for at least 20 hours each semester.
Bill History: 03-15-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-15-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-19-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 341)

HB 1504  
 		 Anderson Makes various revisions to the Public Charter School Law.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
03-28-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-30-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 736)

HB 1517  
(Monitor)		 Cook Provides for continued monitoring of school district implementation of school improvement plans.
Remarks: Diane
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Emergency clause adopted
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 807)

HB 1521  
 		 Walters Requires schools distribute parental involvement information packets including a survey regarding parental volunteerism interest; removes requirement for two parent teacher conferences per year and makes other changes to related requirements.
Bill History: 03-12-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
03-12-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 33/N: 0)
03-16-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 307)

HB 1562  
 		 Chesterfield Creates the Voluntary Universal ACT Assessment Program within the Department of Education to provide students in the eleventh grade the option of taking the ACT free of charge.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 881)

HB 1567  
 		 Prater Applies school-zone enhanced drug penalties to officially designated school bus stops.
Bill History: 03-15-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-15-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-19-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 345)

HB 1632  
 		 Kenney Sets the foundation funding and categorical funding for the public schools for school years 2007-08 and 2009-09.
Bill History: 03-09-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment Nos. 1, 2, and 3
03-09-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-14-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 272)

HB 1633  
 		 Kenney Provides for "Enhanced Educational Funding" of $51 per student for 2007-08 and $87 per student for 2008-09.
Bill History: 03-09-07 H House concurred in Senate amendments Nos. 1 and 2
03-09-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-14-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 273)

HB 1707  
 		 Greenberg Requires candidates file the statement of financial interest on the first Monday following the close of the filing period (previously 30 days following the close of filing).
Bill History: 03-07-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-08-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 267)

HB 1726  
 		 Kenney Provides that school funding amounts that change based on a new number of national school lunch students shall be paid or reduced in three equal amounts over a three-year period.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 811)

HB 1730  
 		 Abernathy Provides guidelines and requirements for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses and the award of credit for advanced placement courses; abolishes the Concurrent Enrollment Course Approval Panel (Education Department to administer).
Bill History: 04-02-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 936)

HB 1796  
 		 Hawkins Entitles all state employees to eight hours of leave per year for purpose of attending or assisting with educational activities of a child.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Emergency clause adopted
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1028)

HB 1829  
 		 Bond Authorizes the Department of Education and the Attorney General to seek proper federal court review and determination of the current unitary status of any school district in the case of Little Rock School District v. Pulaski County School District.
Bill History: 03-15-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-15-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-21-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 395)

HB 2029  
 		 Jeffrey Exempts early graduates of high school from attendance requirements.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 985)

HB 2210  
 		 Pickett Requires the annual report of the State Board of Education to local school boards include access to information developed by the General Assembly evidencing its legislative intent concerning public school funding.
Bill History: 04-03-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
04-03-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 1)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1587)

HB 2217  
 		 Pickett Requires school district boards of directors publish notice on its website of regular meetings ten days prior to the meeting and rescheduled meetings 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Bill History: 04-03-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
04-03-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1588)

HB 2234  
 		 Norton Prohibits including capital outlay expenditures in the calculation to determine if a school is in fiscal distress.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
03-28-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-30-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 741)

HB 2245  
 		 Flowers Requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board annually compile information for high school students regarding academic scholarships and opportunities for developing technical job skills, to be distributed to counselors by the Education Dept.
Bill History: 03-19-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-20-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-23-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 474)

HB 2251  
 		 Johnson, J. Allows students who accept a school choice transfer to return to his or her resident district during the course of the school year.
Bill History: 03-22-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-23-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 552)

HB 2255  
 		 Cook Authorizes school districts, upon written approval by the Education Commissioner, to use excess national school lunch categorical funds for teacher salary bonuses.
Bill History: 04-03-07 S Motion for immediate consideration carried
04-03-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 23/N: 7)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1590)

HB 2260  
 		 Chesterfield Provides for bonuses to persons who become "highly qualified paraprofessionals" by virtue of obtaining an associate degree or completing 60 hours study.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Emergency clause adopted
04-03-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1197)

HB 2268  
 		 Cook Requires the Education Department provide the Bureau of Legislative Research with direct access to database information regarding school districts.
Bill History: 03-26-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-27-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 624)

HB 2269  
 		 Cook Makes various changes to the Public School Academic Facilities Program.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H House concurred in Senate amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 989)

HB 2272  
 		 Cook Requires the Academic Facilities Commission, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, establish property, boiler and machinery, and extended coverage insurance requirements for school district property.
Bill History: 03-27-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
03-27-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 625)

HB 2287  
 		 Pickett Provides for the development of minimum standards for school district general business managers.
Bill History: 04-03-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
04-03-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 32/N: 3)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1591)

HB 2310  
 		 Allen Requires the Department of Education to monitor school districts for compliance with the free textbook act and report noncompliance to the House and Senate Interim Committees on Education.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Placed on the Senate calendar
04-02-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1199)

HB 2321  
 		 Edwards Changes the formula for calculating school district reimbursement to the county for school elections, basing the calculation on the number of votes cast rather than the number of operating boxes used in the election.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
04-03-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1200)

HB 2327  
 		 Blount Provides that retired teachers will retain licensure without completing any professional development and allowing those teachers who return to work a six-month period to complete the required courses.
Bill History: 03-23-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-26-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 628)

HB 2335  
 		 Stewart Requires all high schools to be submitting electronic transcripts to the Department of Higher Education for state scholarship programs by 1/1/08; exempts college with fewer than ten students in scholarship program from the requirement.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 820)

HB 2336  
 		 Hutchinson Prohibits registered sex offenders from entering public school campuses.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 992)

HB 2355  
 		 Johnson, J. Creates the Legislative Task Force on Athletic Trainers to study issues related to the incorporation of athletic trainers into secondary schools.
Bill History: 03-26-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
03-27-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
03-28-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 633)

HB 2378  
 		 Rainey Amends provisions for preservation of historical artifacts from consolidated schools to specify that the artifacts be displayed as if they were those of the receiving school district.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Reported from committee - Do pass S-Education
04-03-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1594)

HB 2380  
 		 Rainey Specifically includes substitute teacher positions in the provision regarding noncertified school district employee criminal records and background checks.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 823)

HB 2394  
 		 Rosenbaum Revises provisions related to home schooling.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 824)

HB 2404  
 		 Davenport Revises the definition of "years of service" for purposes to the Minimum Teacher Salary Schedule to count as service any years of employment in an educational capacity with an institution of higher education in the state.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
04-03-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-05-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1410)

HB 2425  
 		 Cook Creates the Academic Facilities High-Growth School District Loan Program, authorizing schools with four percent growth over a two-year period to apply for interest-free loans if they have raised the maximum expected millage.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 995)

HB 2426  
 		 Cook To amend provisions relating to school facility adequacy.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H House concurred in Senate amendments Nos. 1 and 2
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 996)

HB 2429  
 		 Abernathy Provides that the calculation of a school district's miscellaneous funds shall not include in its five-year average any of the listed funds that the school district is no longer receiving.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Emergency clause adopted
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 825)

HB 2470  
 		 Johnson, J. Makes it the duty of the Director of the Department of Emergency Management to require all public schools to conduct tornado safety drills at least four times per year.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 828)

HB 2484  
 		 Cook Revises the definition of "school bus" in Title 6 school provisions.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 2
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 999)

HB 2514  
 		 Blount Requires the Commission on Closing the Achievement Gap reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the state; limits term of office to four years; requires relevant training for commission members.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1002)

HB 2515  
 		 Bond Requires the State Board of Education to include in its regulations provisions regarding the attainment of unitary status for school districts that have not been released from court supervision over desegregation obligations.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-02-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 829)

HB 2614  
 		 Kenney Creates a pilot program to restructure teacher pay system, to be known as the Rewarding Excellence in Achievement Program (REAP).
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1029)

HB 2656  
 		 Walters Adds list of certain categories of expenditures that must be used for reporting of financial and student management data into the public school computer network.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H Reported from committee - Do pass H-Education
04-02-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1006)

HB 2663  
 		 Kenney Establishes procedures for continuing evaluation of the adequacy of state funding for public schools.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 35/N: 0)
04-03-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1204)

HB 2688  
 		 Kenney Allows the State Board of Education to waive or modify requirement applicants for licensure as special education teachers complete a program of study if the applicant is licensed in another state and has taught special education for five years.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1007)

HB 2734  
 		 Hawkins Revises advanced placement course requirements for small schools with limited enrollment.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Emergency clause adopted
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1015)

HB 2792  
 		 Roebuck Requires the State Board of Education to prescribe uniform college level preparatory and grade point average requirements for persons applying for initial teacher licensure or relicensure after July 1, 2007.
Bill History: 03-29-07 S Passed (Vote: Y: 34/N: 0)
03-30-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-03-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 846)

HB 2813  
 		 Thyer Authorizes the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to issue up to $750,000,000 in general obligatin bonds to finance public school academic facilites.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H House concurred in Senate amendment No. 1
04-02-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1021)

HJR1004  
 		 Harris A proposed amendment to the Constitution requiring the General Assembly to meet in fiscal session in even-numbered years, beginning in 2010; limits session to appropriation bills except on 2/3rds approval of the membership.
Bill History: 03-28-07 S Resolution concurred in (Vote: Y: 19/N: 9)
03-28-07 S Clincher adopted
03-29-07 H Received in the House - Sent to Governor

SB 11  
 		 Miller Provides school districts receive credit for having taught a course in compliance with state standards when the student(s) enrolled in the course leave the district prior to completion of the course.
Bill History: 03-05-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 96/N: 0)
03-06-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-06-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 219)

SB 44  
 		 Jeffress, J. Requires school districts to provide representatives of the School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts to its campus, upon written request, to contact students regarding the Math, Science School.
Bill History: 02-01-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 96/N: 0)
02-05-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
02-06-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 51)

SB 54  
 		 Jeffress, J. Sets conditions that must be met in school district teacher incentive pay programs, including that the program be developed by a group of certified employees in the school affected.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 96/N: 0)
04-02-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 847)

SB 185  
 		 Glover Levies a 2.875% sales tax on food products, requiring distribution of the proceeds as follows: 76.6% to General Revenue, 8.5% to the Property Tax Relief Fund, 14.9% to the Educational Adequacy Fund; Leaves Amendment 75 excise tax and local taxes.
Bill History: 02-13-07 S Senate concurred in House amendments
02-13-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
02-15-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 110)

SB 217  
 		 Jeffress, G. Changes the age requirement for enrollment in kindergarten from birthdates on or before September 15 of the school year to birthdates on or before September 1, 2007-08; August 15, 2008-09; August 1, 2009-10.
Bill History: 03-19-07 S Senate concurred in House amendments 1, 2, & 3
03-20-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-23-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 462)

SB 224  
 		 Faris Makes various changes to election law, including filing dates, race designations, sign posting requirements, etc.
Bill History: 03-07-07 S Senate concurred in House amendment 1
03-08-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 222)

SB 231  
 		 Laverty Provides funding to school districts with declining enrollment be based on the greater of the average daily membership (ADM) of the previous year or the average ADM for the two previous years.
Bill History: 03-19-07 S Senate concurred in House amendments 1 & 2
03-20-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-23-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 461)

SB 456  
 		 Bryles Appropriates $5,000,000 to the Education Department - Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for charter school facilities construction incentive aid.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 77/N: 15)
04-02-07 H Emergency clause adopted
04-05-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1490)

SB 458  
 		 Bryles Appropriates $7,000,000 to the Department of Education - Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation from the General Improvement Fund for charter school facilities.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 78/N: 14)
04-02-07 H Emergency clause adopted
04-05-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1492)

SB 652  
 		 Bisbee Specifies teachers make all reports required by the school district employing the teacher before receiving the final month's pay under his or her contract.
Bill History: 03-14-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 93/N: 0)
03-15-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-19-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 311)

SB 655  
 		 Bisbee Gives school district employees the option of taking less than the required 90 minutes to present the grievances at the grievance hearing.
Bill History: 03-14-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 90/N: 0)
03-15-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-19-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 312)

SB 659  
 		 Bisbee Exempts newly hired school employees from the required tuberculosis screening if the new hire has had the required screening performed in the United States within the prior six months.
Bill History: 03-14-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 94/N: 0)
03-15-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-19-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 313)

SB 713  
 		 Crumbly Creates academic support centers at school campuses that have been closed for consolidation or annexation to provide opportunities for homework and tutorial assistance after the regular school day.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H On floor for consideration
04-02-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 86/N: 4)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1575)

SB 764  
 		 Wilkins Requires final close of school financial records no later than September 15 of each year, with no changes after that date.
Bill History: 03-30-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 97/N: 0)
04-02-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 858)

SB 772  
 		 Broadway Removes the requirement a copy of teachers' contracts be field with the appropriate county clerk; makes teacher contracts filed with the county treasurer confidential and not subject to examination or disclosure as public information.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H Placed on the House calendar
03-28-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 94/N: 0)
03-30-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 710)

SB 808  
 		 Broadway Allows school districts to use net athletic event gate receipts to buy athletic letter jackets or similar awards; limits expenditure to an average of $100 per athlete per sport unless private funds are used.
Bill History: 04-03-07 S Senate concurred in House amendment No. 1
04-03-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1043)

SB 826  
 		 Bryles Establishes a new teacher bonus program to assist recruiting and retention of teachers in high-priority districts.
Remarks: Support
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Senate concurred in House amendments
04-03-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1044)

SB 843  
 		 Broadway Creates the Traveling Teacher Program to assist rural school districts in Kindergarten and grades 9-12.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H On floor for consideration
03-28-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 84/N: 2)
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1027)

SB 850  
 		 Brown, I.H. Requires the Department of Education to monitor school districts to ensure compliance with provisions of the Free Text Book Act.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H On floor for consideration
04-02-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 95/N: 1)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1577)

SB 851  
 		 Hendren Makes penalties for illegally passing a school bus apply to owners of the vehicles.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 96/N: 0)
03-29-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
03-30-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 718)

SB 855  
 		 Glover Amends various provisions of election law related to procedures and deadlines. (145 pages, 97 sections)
Remarks: Sections that pertain to boards and districts are on page 5, line 10; page 10, line 17; page 23 line 34; page 24, line 25; and page 29 lines 33-35.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Senate concurred in House amendment No. 1 & 2
04-03-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1049)

SB 868  
 		 Steele Establishes the Human Service Workers in Schools Program as a collaborative effort between the DHHS-Children and Famiily Services division, the Transitional Employment Assistance Board, and the Department of Education.
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Senate concurred in House amendment No. 1
04-03-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1050)

SB 899  
 		 Broadway Authorizes the Division of Public School Academic Facilities to review laws, rules and regulations for conflicts with or omissions of energy-related content.
Bill History: 04-02-07 H On floor for consideration
04-02-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 93/N: 0)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1580)

SB 919  
 		 Laverty Prescribes special needs funding eligible schools receive to ensure that foundation funding is equal to the foundation funding provided to a 500 student school district. (same as SB 913)
Bill History: 04-02-07 S Senate concurred in House amendment No. 1
04-03-07 S Received in the Senate - Sent to Governor
04-04-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1052)

SB 920  
 		 Argue Requires the Department of Education to implement policies and procedures to provide for data quality, timeliness, and security of school report data in the Public School Computer Network.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H On floor for consideration
03-28-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 91/N: 0)
03-30-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 723)

SB 922  
 		 Argue Requires the Department of Education to have necessary programs in the Public School Computer Network to timely collect data from public school districts on teachers' salaries, revenue and expenditure data, and budget reporting.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H On floor for consideration
03-28-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 92/N: 1)
03-30-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 724)

SB 962  
 		 Broadway Provides school districts with academic facilities wealth index of 1.00 or greater will be funded at the same level as the first district with index below 1.00, but not to exceed the funding provided for a wealth index of .995.
Bill History: 03-28-07 H On floor for consideration
03-28-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 93/N: 1)
03-30-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 727)

SB 984  
 		 Steele Requires the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities to require tornado and storm shelters in the construction of all new public school facilities. (Amendment 1 makes the bill permissive, rather than mandatory)
Bill History: 04-02-07 H On floor for consideration
04-02-07 H Passed (Vote: Y: 90/N: 0)
04-09-07 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 1584)


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