HB1268
An Act For The Department Of Education - Division Of Elementary And Secondary Education - The Raise Act Of 2023 Appropriation For The 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1268, titled the 'Raising Arkansas's Investment in Schools and Educators (RAISE) Act of 2023', seeks to provide significant state-level funding to increase teacher compensation. The bill appropriates $350 million for teacher salary raises and $30 million for an 'Educator Compensation Reform Program' to assist school districts in meeting updated minimum salary requirements. It specifically aims to provide a $10,000 raise to eligible full-time equivalent teachers and ensures that the minimum annual salary for educators is $50,000 by June 30, 2024. The act also updates the definition of 'teacher' to include roles such as guidance counselors, librarians, curriculum specialists, and instructional facilitators. Additionally, the bill provides the legal framework and emergency clause necessary to implement these changes starting July 1, 2023. This legislation is part of a broader effort to modernize Arkansas's public school teacher compensation schedule.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are public school teachers and educators in Arkansas, including guidance counselors, librarians, and instructional facilitators, who will receive salary increases and a higher minimum annual wage. School districts, particularly those currently struggling to meet statutory minimum salary requirements, will benefit from the state-provided grants and aid to cover these increased payroll expenses.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entity negatively impacted is the state's general fund and the Educational Adequacy Fund, as the bill requires a substantial appropriation of $380 million in state resources to cover the raises and reform grants. While not directly penalized, taxpayers may be indirectly impacted if the state needs to reallocate existing budgetary resources or manage the fiscal strain of this significant expenditure.
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