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Committee OKs bill allowing pre‑K facilities and storm shelters to be funded from existing facility funds
Summary
House Bill 1337 would let school districts use existing state facility/construction funds to build or adapt space for pre‑K programs and for storm shelters or safe rooms; proponents say it removes an eligibility barrier with no new appropriation, while critics warn the change may dilute limited facility funds and could create unfunded mandates if shelter requirements take effect.
State Representative Julie Mayberry (District 92) presented House Bill 1337 to the Senate Education Committee, explaining that facility and construction funding currently excludes pre‑K facilities and storm shelters. Mayberry said the bill merely clarifies that pre‑K classrooms and spaces used as safe rooms "shall be considered an academic facility" for the purpose of state facility funding. She emphasized there is no new appropriation in the bill and said it uses existing facility partnership funds.
Committee members probed the fiscal implications. Senator Chesapeake asked whether changing the academic‑facility definition could increase the number of eligible projects and thereby award fewer projects without additional funding. Mayberry acknowledged that the finite "pie" of facility funds could be divided among more projects and said districts might compete for those dollars; she maintained that allowing access is necessary because safe‑room requirements are coming and districts otherwise would confront an unfunded mandate.
Members also discussed Act 355 and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, which will identify which group‑E occupancies must provide storm shelters; Mayberry said the Fire Marshal and the rules adoption process will determine whether a gym, classroom or a dedicated shelter is required. Senator Bridal urged caution about broadly defined "purposes of education" that could let institutions reclassify many spaces; Mayberry and other supporters stressed the bill allows districts to use existing funds when appropriate but does not require districts to build pre‑K or safe rooms.
With questions addressed and proponents noting the urgency of planning for future safe‑room requirements, the committee voted to pass the bill out of committee for further consideration.
