AR SB337

Repeals Arkansas Code § 6-20-2514, which established the Academic Facilities Extraordinary Circumstances Program that provided state financial assistance to school districts unable to contribute local resources for academic facility projects.

Finds that the program, created in 2006 in response to a 2005 Arkansas Supreme Court decision, was never substantiated as necessary since no school district came forward claiming inability to repair, renovate, or construct buildings.

Eliminates the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation's authority to develop rules for the program and its requirement to report to the House Committee on Education and Senate Committee on Education by October 15, 2015.

Removes eligibility criteria previously established for the program, including considerations for school districts with declining enrollment, rapid growth, insufficient bonding capacity, low property valuations, and high wealth index rankings.