Arkansas legislators recently voted to pass a bill, SB640, that will impact the state library by reconstituting the state library board. The bill passed the House with a vote of 60-29-3, leading to the firing of all seven current members of the board, who will be replaced by new appointees chosen by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The new board must hold its first meeting within 30 days of the bill’s effective date.
The new board will consist of seven members, with varying term lengths ranging from one to seven years. The legislation requires the current board members to be terminated on the effective date of the act, cutting their terms short. This bill was introduced as an alternative to a previously failed proposal, SB536, which aimed to abolish the State Library board and transfer its responsibilities to the education department.
Senator Johnathan Dismang and Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. were the lead sponsors of SB640, which was introduced on April 9, 2025. The passage of this bill marks a significant change in the composition of the state library board, with new appointments expected to bring fresh perspectives and priorities to the management and oversight of the state library system.
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