HB1365

House Bill 1365 proposes the removal of specific racial and gender quota requirements for membership on various state boards, commissions, councils, and committees in Arkansas. The bill amends or repeals numerous sections of the Arkansas Code that currently mandate representation based on race, gender, or ethnicity. Affected entities include the Arkansas Financial Education Commission, the State Board of Education, the Commission on Closing the Achievement Gap, and various professional licensing and advisory boards. By removing these explicit mandates, the bill seeks to shift the criteria for board appointments away from demographic qualifications. The legislation also repeals sections that provide mechanisms for minority professional organizations to submit appointment recommendations for health-related boards. Overall, the bill seeks to standardize appointment processes by eliminating legislative requirements that prioritize specific demographic identities in board composition.