SB36

This bill acts as an appropriation measure for the Arkansas Department of Education - Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. It establishes the maximum number of authorized personnel for the division at 32 full-time employees and provides for additional temporary, part-time staff. The legislation appropriates approximately $2.98 million for agency operations, including salaries, operating expenses, and safety training. Additionally, it allocates over $215 million in funding for academic facility grants, partnerships, and catastrophic assistance for public school districts. The bill also includes special language authorizing the transfer of funds for charter school facility loans and grants limited flexibility to the agency director regarding budgetary adjustments, subject to oversight by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. Finally, it includes an emergency clause to ensure the appropriations are effective by the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2023.