HB1493
An Act For The Institutions Of Higher Education Capital Improvement Appropriation.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes appropriations for capital improvement projects at various institutions of higher education in Arkansas. The funds are designated for a range of purposes including building renovations, infrastructure upgrades, equipment replacement, and deferred maintenance. Specific allocations are made to institutions such as Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University campuses (Beebe, Mid-South, Mountain Home, Newport), Arkansas State University Three Rivers, Black River Technical College, Cossatot Community College, National Park College, North Arkansas College, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Ozarka College, Phillips Community College, and SAU-Tech. The appropriations are to be drawn from the Development and Enhancement Fund. The bill outlines specific dollar amounts for each project at each institution.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill, if enacted, would be the listed institutions of higher education in Arkansas. These institutions would receive significant funding for capital improvements, allowing them to renovate or replace aging infrastructure, upgrade technology, address critical maintenance needs, and replace outdated equipment. This, in turn, could lead to improved learning environments, enhanced operational efficiency, and better facilities for students, faculty, and staff across these educational campuses. Specific projects include renovations to buildings, roof repairs, HVAC upgrades, IT infrastructure enhancements, and the construction of new facilities.
Who Might Suffer?
This bill does not appear to have direct, identifiable negative impacts on specific groups or entities in its current form. The appropriations are drawn from a "Development and Enhancement Fund," suggesting these funds are allocated for specific purposes rather than being derived from general tax revenue in a way that would directly burden taxpayers in the short term. Potential indirect negative impacts could arise if the allocated funds are not utilized effectively or if the projects undertaken do not yield the intended benefits for the institutions. Furthermore, any reliance on state funding for these projects could potentially divert resources from other state priorities or future funding needs, though this is speculative without further context on the fund's origin and other demands upon it.