This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council and the council subcommittees convened at the Capitol.
The council approved the permanent rules for Educational Freedom Accounts. Education Freedom Accounts may be used by eligible families to cover private school tuition, fees, uniforms, and some other required expenses. First-time kindergarteners, students enrolled in “D” or “F” rated schools, students with a disability, current or former foster care students, students experiencing homelessness or students whose parents are active-duty military, veterans or first responders will be eligible to use the accounts in the 2024-2025 school year. All public school students will be eligible in the 2025-2026 school year.
The council also approved an emergency rule from the Department of Finance and Administration that requires Arkansans to list their gender on their driver’s license. The rule states the gender must match what is listed on the person’s birth certificate, passport, or identification document from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.