Arkansas House Bill HB1803

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/30/23
• Refer: 3/30/23
• Failed: 5/1/23

Caption

To Amend Proposed Referred Act 1 Of 1994, Also Known As The Arkansas Soft Drink Tax Proposed Referred Act; And To Authorize Soft Drink Tax Revenues To Be Used For Salaries Of Public School Nurses.

Impact

If enacted, HB1803 will significantly modify the use of revenues generated from the soft drink tax. It is expected to improve the financial situation of school nurses, who play a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of students. Ensuring adequate funding for school nurses can lead to enhanced healthcare services within public education, likely resulting in better student health outcomes and overall school environment. The bill also indicates a spark in discussions related to educational funding and the reliance on specific tax revenues to support essential school services.

Summary

House Bill 1803 proposes amendments to the Arkansas Soft Drink Tax Proposed Referred Act 1 of 1994. The primary objective of the bill is to authorize the revenues collected from the soft drink tax to contribute toward the salaries of public school nurses. This initiative aims to address the funding needs for school nurses within Arkansas public schools, positioning their salaries as a priority supported by a designated fund. The bill creates a ‘School Nurse Salary Trust Fund’, which shall consist of various revenue sources including grants, donations, and a guaranteed allocation of five million dollars annually from the soft drink tax revenues.

Contention

While there may be broad support for increasing funding for public school nurses, potential points of contention could arise regarding the allocation of soft drink tax revenues. There may be debates surrounding the sufficiency of five million dollars per year for the expected costs of salaries and whether this funding model is sustainable. Additionally, discussions around whether other uses of the soft drink tax revenues—or even the use of general funds—might be more beneficial for schools could surface, complicating the straightforward appeal for increased nurse salaries.