House OKs school building legislation
LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Legislature on Thursday approved five bills that provide the framework for the court-ordered improvements to public school buildings statewide.
Senate Bill 593, the Arkansas Public School Facilities Program Act, the biggest and potentially the most controversial bill, drew no questions and there were no "no" votes.
SB 593 and the other four bills now go to the governor for his signature.
"This is the first step towards compliance," said Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, who has led legislative efforts on the facilities issue for about two years.
"The real work is going to begin on the funding bill, and once the session is over getting that division up and running and doing those projects," Broadway said.
House Speaker Bill Stovall, D-Quitman, said after the House session that he wasn't surprised with the ease in which the five bills passed Thursday.
"Certainly these bills have been out there," he said. "They've been filed for a while; we've met in caucuses; they've had a committee of the whole in the Senate. All that really helps comfort and confidence levels."
Wednesday, House members were presented with the much-anticipated formulas for state and local school districts to support the multi-billion improvement projects.
Rep. Jodie Mahony, D-El Dorado, said he expects the House version of the funding formula bill to be presented Tuesday at the House Education Committee.
SB 593, approved 87-0, sets out the state's and local districts' obligations for improving their school buildings. It requires districts to prepare a 10-year master plan by Feb. 1, 2006, and for the state to give final approval by July 1, 2006.
The other four Senate bills approved Thursday without discussion include:
SB 590, which creates the agency responsible for overseeing the improvement program. It passed 88-0.
SB 591, which creates a legislative oversight committee. It passed 86-0.
SB 592, which restructures membership of the state's Distance Learning Coordinating Council. It passed 88-0.
SB 858, which authorizes school districts to enter agreements with other public agencies to help meet its new school facilities obligations. It passed 91-0.
In other action, the House passed B 2632 by Stovall, designed to hold those who purchase beer kegs accountable if a minor drinks from the containers.
Under the bill, the person purchasing the keg would have to pay a refundable $75 registration fee. If the person fails to return the keg within 90 days, or if the special identification label is damaged or destroyed, the person would forfeit the $75.
Rep. Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home, presented the bill to the House and said the retailer would receive $50 of the forfeited fee, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, would receive $25.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Arkansas supports the bill, which passed 77-10,
Reps. Bob Mathis, D-Hot Springs, and Charles Ormond, D-Morrilton, both spoke against the bill, saying it would create additional paperwork for retailers and would not reduce underage drinking.
Also approved Thursday was HB 2978 by Rep. James Norton, R-Harrison, which would raise the amount an individual can contribute to a campaign from $1,000 to $2,000. He said federal requirements currently allow up to $2,000 contributions.