AR HB1655

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Improvement Fund to the Department of Education for grants to school districts for personal services, operating expenses, construction, renovation, equipment purchases, acquisition, and major maintenance.

Allows appropriations to be exempt from standard restrictions applicable to other programs, and authorizes adoption of new rules and regulations to implement the appropriation.

Permits school districts to supplement state funds with grants, donations, federal funds, and unobligated cash income, but prohibits use of maintenance and general operations funds for these purposes.

Requires strict compliance with state purchasing law, accounting procedures, revenue stabilization law, and fiscal control regulations unless specifically provided otherwise.

Establishes July 1, 2013 as the effective date and declares an emergency due to constitutional one-year appropriation limits.