Committee passes SB101 to clean up University of Arkansas statutes

Senate Bill 101, presented to the Senate Education Committee by Melissa Rust of the University of Arkansas System, cleared the panel after a review and question-and-answer period.

Rust said the measure is the product of a systemic review of Arkansas Code references to the University of Arkansas system. The bill removes obsolete provisions, updates institutional names (including a recently merged online campus) and repeals antiquated revenue-bond language tied to law schools that, she said, bond counsel confirmed is no longer needed. "Senate bill 101 is the product of that work," Rust said, and she offered to answer questions about specific sections.

Committee members asked about the bond provisions and course-of-study language; Rust said the bill aligns campus authorities with current practice and with an overarching statute governing bond issuance and board action. Senator Dodson moved passage; after limited discussion the committee voted to pass SB101.

The committee recorded the bill as passed and thanked the university representatives for the briefing.