Arkansas HB1539: TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

What the bill says

An act to be entitled an act to amend the public school funding act of 2003; to add an additional education category of funding for special education; and for other purposes. subtitle to amend the public school funding act of 2003; and to add an additional education category of funding for special education.

From the introduced text:

An Act To Be Entitled AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Legislative findings and intent. The General Assembly finds that: (1) Under the Arkansas Constitution, the General Assembly must provide funding for an adequate and equitable education for every child in the State of Arkansas; (2) To provide an adequate and equitable education for every child in the state, the General Assembly should adopt the recommendations presented by the House Committee on Education and Senate Committee on Education in the 2024 Educational Adequacy Study final report for funding public schools in the upcoming biennium, except in the areas of special education, staff pay, and mental health; (3) Special education funding should be increased and moved from foundation funding to categorical funding; (4) Special education is underfunded by the state according to *TNL202* 02/20/2025 9:29:56 AM TNL202 HB1539 the 2024 Educational Adequacy Study, with seventy-two percent (72%) of superintendents reporting that their school districts are in moderate or extreme need of more …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Andrew Collins (D, 73) · primary sponsor
• Denise Garner (D, 20)
• Worthen, Diana (D, 9)
• Tippi McCullough (D, 74)
• Joy Springer (D, 76)

Latest actions

1. May 5, 2025: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
2. February 20, 2025: Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
3. February 20, 2025: Filed

Common questions

What is HB1539?

HB1539 is a bill in the Arkansas Legislature (95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)): TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

What does HB1539 do?

In its own words: An act to be entitled an act to amend the public school funding act of 2003; to add an additional education category of funding for special education; and for other purposes. subtitle to amend the public school funding act of 2003; and to add an additional education category of funding for special education.

What is the status of HB1539?

Failed as of May 5, 2025. Latest action: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. (May 5, 2025).

Who sponsored HB1539?

Andrew Collins (D, 73), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1539?

On the Arkansas Legislature website: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R&measureno=HB1539