HB1005 Summary

• Appropriates $250,000,000 from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund for the Public School District Classified Staff Retention and Recruitment Program for fiscal year 2022-2023.

• Requires the Arkansas State Treasurer to transfer funds to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide $2,500 annual bonuses to all classified staff working in Arkansas public schools for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025.

• Creates a separate Public School District Classified Staff Retention and Recruitment Program sub-fund within the Educational Adequacy Fund that is not counted toward school district fund balance limitations under Arkansas Code § 6-20-2210.

• Authorizes the Arkansas Department of Education to promulgate rules to administer the program and requires compliance with state procurement, accounting, budgetary procedures, and fiscal control laws.

• Declares an emergency clause making the act effective immediately upon the Governor's approval or other specified conditions to ensure funds are distributed to classified staff without delay.