Legislative panels pass ACCESS bill with student political activity amendment

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

The House and Senate Education Committees passed Gov. Sarah Sanders’ far-reaching Arkansas ACCESS Act on March 10 with an amendment granting excused absences to students engaged in political and public advocacy activities.

In separate voice votes, a majority of House and Senate members approved the two identical bills, Senate Bill 246 by Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and House Bill 1512 by Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado.

The full House and Senate will vote on their own chamber’s bills Tuesday, March 11. Then they will vote on the other chamber’s bill on Thursday. With no more committee meetings necessary, the bills could be headed to the governor’s desk by the end of the week.

ACCESS stands for acceleration, common sense, cost, eligibility, scholarships, and standardization.

Legislative panels pass ACCESS bill with student political activity amendment