SB491

Senate Bill 491 amends Arkansas law regarding employees of state-supported institutions of higher education. It repeals the existing 'Higher Education Uniform Classification and Compensation Act' and establishes new procedures for salary, overtime, and position management. The bill creates centralized 'position pools' to help institutions manage unanticipated enrollment growth, industry training needs, or administrative transitions. It clarifies overtime eligibility for classified staff and sets limitations on total overtime payments for institutions, with higher thresholds for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Additionally, the bill codifies criteria for annual career service recognition payments for nonfaculty employees, contingent on available institutional funding. The act also updates the duties of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board staff to include human resource management and labor market surveys. An emergency clause is included, making the provisions effective immediately upon passage.