All Roll Calls
Yes: 117 • No: 6
ArkansasHB16962025 Regular SessionHouse
TO ESTABLISH THE STRENGTHENING ARKANSAS EDUCATION ACT; AND TO PROVIDE A CORE CURRICULUM AT STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Sponsored By: Jim Dotson (Republican), Mindy McAlindon (Republican)
Enacted
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Building Better Futures students lose core exemptions
The law removes college core exemptions for participants in the Building Better Futures Program and Building Better Futures High School Program. These students must meet the applicable state minimum core curriculum requirements. The law does not state a dollar cost for this change.
Required college courses transfer across Arkansas
Starting with the fall 2027 entering class, Arkansas requires a shared general education core that includes 15 semester credits. It applies at state-supported institutions offering eligible training or associate or bachelor’s degrees and meeting state accreditation requirements. The 15 credits include two 3-credit oral or written communication courses, plus 3 credits each in reasoning, American history, and American government. History and government must cover the U.S. Constitution and American institutions and ideals. The core transfers among state-supported institutions and counts toward associate and bachelor’s degree requirements. The broader state minimum core remains 60 lower-division credits, including general education, major prerequisites, and electives; the separate 35-hour general education figure is removed. That framework covers associate degrees in arts, science, and teaching, plus selected bachelor’s degrees determined by the state coordinating board. The Division of Higher Education may approve applied science exemptions, competency- or proficiency-based credit equivalents, and specified advanced-course substitutions. American history and government remain required for every student. The Division sets course eligibility and implementation rules, and institutions must report on implementation; this framework replaces earlier course and transfer rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jim Dotson
Republican • Senate
Mindy McAlindon
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 8:09:34 PM
Yes: 29 • No: 1 • Other: 5
House vote • 4/1/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 1, 2025 2:39:35 PM
Yes: 88 • No: 5 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1696 is now Act 566
4/14/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/9/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
4/9/2025HouseReturned from the Senate as passed.
4/9/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed.
4/8/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/8/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
4/2/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE
4/1/2025SenateReceived from the House.
4/1/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/1/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/31/2025HouseAmendment No. 2 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/31/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/31/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 2
3/20/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/19/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/19/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/19/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
3/5/2025HouseFiled
3/5/2025House
Bill Text
HB1696 - Introduced
3/5/2025
Act Version
Related Bills
HB1265, AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1237, TO PROHIBIT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM SOLICITING INJURED INDIVIDUALS; AND TO SET PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE PROHIBITION OF SOLICITATION OF INJURED INDIVIDUALS.
HB1686, TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LICENSES TO CARRY CONCEALED HANDGUNS.
SB440, TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMBALMERS AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS; TO REGULATE THE USE OF ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS; AND TO REGULATE ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS FACILITIES.
HB1695, TO CLARIFY THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS FOR PROPERTY SUBJECT TO A MUNICIPAL LIEN; TO ALLOW A MUNICIPALITY TO PETITION TO SET ASIDE THE SALE OF PROPERTY TO CERTAIN PERSONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRIORITY OF UNRECORDED MUNICIPAL LIENS.
HR1012, TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO REQUIRE THAT A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BE SELECTED AS A DESIGNATED SURVIVOR.