HB1447
To Amend The Mechanism By Which School Nurses Are Compensated.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in the House at Sine Die Adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1447 amends Arkansas law regarding the compensation of public school nurses. It mandates that public school districts adopt a salary schedule for licensed school nurses that mirrors the factors used for classroom teacher salary schedules. The bill establishes a minimum base salary for school nurses with a bachelor's degree equal to that of a classroom teacher with similar experience. For nurses without a bachelor's degree, the bill sets minimum compensation floors: 90% of a comparable teacher's salary for registered nurses and 80% for licensed practical nurses. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits districts from lowering the current salary of any school nurse who is currently earning more than what the new schedule would require. The changes are set to take effect beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are licensed school nurses employed by Arkansas public school districts. This legislation provides them with standardized compensation benchmarks, potentially leading to increased wages for those currently paid below the newly established thresholds. It also elevates the professional parity between nursing staff and classroom teachers within the public school system.
Who Might Suffer?
Public school districts may be negatively impacted, particularly those with limited financial resources, as they may face increased budgetary pressures to meet the new mandatory minimum salary requirements for nursing staff. The bill does not include new state funding to cover these potentially higher personnel costs, meaning districts may need to reallocate existing funds or find other revenue sources to comply.
Vote Records
Third Reading
April 3, 2023View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Allen | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Lane Jean | Republican | House | NV |
| Stephen Meeks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Perry | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jon Eubanks | Republican | House | Nay |
| Matthew Shepherd | Republican | House | NV |
| Jeff Wardlaw | Republican | House | Nay |
| Bruce Cozart | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Whitaker | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Deborah Ferguson | Democrat | House | NV |
| Charlene Fite | Republican | House | NV |
| Mike Holcomb | Republican | House | Nay |
| Stephen Magie | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Mark McElroy | Republican | House | Yea |
| Josh Miller | Republican | House | Yea |
| Richard Womack | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jack Ladyman | Republican | House | NV |
| Robin Lundstrum | Republican | House | NV |
| Dwight Tosh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lanny Fite | Republican | House | NV |
| Grant Hodges | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick Beck | Republican | House | NV |
| Mary Bentley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Eaves | Republican | House | Nay |
| Justin Gonzales | Republican | House | NV |
| Julie Mayberry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ken Ferguson | Democrat | House | NV |
| Ron Mcnair | Republican | House | Yea |
| Milton Nicks | Democrat | House | NV |
| Marcus Richmond | Republican | House | NV |
| Vivian Flowers | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Deann Vaught | Republican | House | Yea |
| Karilyn Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Sonia Eubanks Barker | Republican | House | NV |
| Frances Cavenaugh | Republican | House | Nay |
| Jack Fortner | Republican | House | Nay |
| Jimmie Gazaway | Republican | House | Yea |
| Roger Lynch | Republican | House | NV |
| John Maddox | Republican | House | Yea |
| Aaron Pilkington | Republican | House | NV |
| Johnny Rye | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Warren | Republican | House | NV |
| Danny Watson | Republican | House | Nay |
| Carlton Wing | Republican | House | NV |
| Austin Mccollum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carol Dalby | Republican | House | Nay |
| Steve Hollowell | Republican | House | NV |
| Brian Evans | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lee Johnson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Andrew Collins | Democrat | House | NV |
| Stan Berry | Republican | House | Nay |
| Harlan Breaux | Republican | House | Nay |
| Cameron Cooper | Republican | House | Yea |
| Nicole Clowney | Democrat | House | NV |
| Cindy Crawford | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Garner | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Tippi McCullough | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jay Richardson | Democrat | House | NV |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jim Wooten | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Ennett | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Richard McGrew | Republican | House | Nay |
| Joy Springer | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Howard Beaty | Republican | House | Nay |
| Tony Furman | Republican | House | NV |
| Kendon Underwood | Republican | House | NV |
| David Ray | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Berry | Republican | House | Nay |
| John Carr | Republican | House | NV |
| Rick McClure | Republican | House | NV |
| Keith Brooks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Delia Haak | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ashley Hudson | Democrat | House | NV |
| Jon Milligan | Republican | House | Yea |
| RJ Hawk | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wade Andrews | Republican | House | NV |
| Rebecca Burkes | Republican | House | Nay |
| DeAnna Hodges | Republican | House | Nay |
| Hope Duke | Republican | House | Nay |
| Zack Gramlich | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mindy McAlindon | Republican | House | Nay |
| Matt Duffield | Republican | House | Nay |
| Stetson Painter | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Unger | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wayne Long | Republican | House | Nay |
| Scott Richardson | Republican | House | Nay |
| Brandon Achor | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeremiah Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joey Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Shad Pearce | Republican | House | NV |
| Chad Puryear | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ryan Rose | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bart Schulz | Republican | House | Nay |
| Trey Steimel | Republican | House | Nay |
| Tara Shephard | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jeremy Wooldridge | Republican | House | Nay |
| Kendra Moore | Republican | House | NV |
| Brit McKenzie | Republican | House | Nay |
| Steven Walker | Republican | House | Yea |
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