Bill > SB362

This bill appropriates $2,000,000 from the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account to the Department of Education's Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for youth organization grants during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill includes specific requirements for these grants, stipulating that funds can only be awarded to youth organizations that are not affiliated with entities promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, requiring pronoun identification, or espousing what the bill terms "woke ideologies". The grants must be provided to organizations that align with the educational goals of the Governor and General Assembly, and that promote values of healthy home environments and youth role modeling. The Department of Education is tasked with creating rules for determining eligible organizations, disbursing funds, and administering the program. The provisions are specifically time-limited, applying only from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The bill also includes standard legal language ensuring compliance with state procurement, accounting, and budgetary laws, and contains an emergency clause stating that the act is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety, thus allowing it to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb362&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R