The Arkansas Code Revision Commission voted to remove the words "deaf and" from several subdivisions of Act 796 to preserve the existing structure and authorities of the Division of State Services for the Blind.

Commission staff said Act 796 changed references that renamed the board of the Division of State Services for the Blind to the board of the Division of State Services for the Deaf and Blind, but did not amend other statutory sections to grant powers, duties or funding to a merged division. Jake Windley, director of legislative affairs for the Department of Commerce, told commissioners that, as drafted, the changes would create a board and division "with no enumerated powers and no funding." He recommended striking the added words in four identified subdivisions to avoid disrupting ongoing functions.

The code adviser concurred with that approach. Senator Moriah Bridal moved to remove the words "deaf and" from the specified lines in the exhibit packet; Representative Jimmy Gazzaway seconded the motion. Commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried.

Staff and the commission noted two exceptions where statutory language referring to the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind should remain because the school itself had been renamed. The commission instructed staff to codify the struck wording so other references would retain the division's prior scope.