AR HB1581

Creates a 12-member Legislative Task Force on the Realignment of Higher Education consisting of the House and Senate Education Committee chairs (or designees), 5 Representatives appointed by the Speaker, and 5 Senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore

Task force shall meet at least once every two months at the State Capitol or other designated location, with a majority of members constituting a quorum for conducting business

Task force must study advantages and disadvantages of realigning state-supported higher education institutions, identify current redundancies, determine cost-saving mechanisms, improve accountability to the General Assembly, and review higher education structures in other states

Task force shall file a report with findings and recommendations by November 1, 2016 to the Speaker, President Pro Tempore, and chairs of both House and Senate Education Committees

Task force expires on December 31, 2016; legislative members receive per diem and mileage as authorized for interim committee attendance; Bureau of Legislative Research provides staff support