Senate Bill 625, which passed the full House and Senate, aims to limit the use of Arkansas school vouchers, known as Educational Freedom Accounts, after reports of families using the funds for non-academic expenses like tennis lessons and gym memberships. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Breanne Davis and Rep. Keith Brooks, will restrict families to spending only 25% of the voucher amount on transportation and extracurricular activities.

The bill comes in response to data showing that the majority of homeschool voucher dollars were being used for non-academic expenses. The cost of an individual voucher is set to increase in the upcoming school years, with participation in the program expected to grow significantly. The cost of the program is also set to increase substantially, with the Legislature allocating more than $277 million for vouchers in the upcoming fiscal year.

Despite some pushback from homeschool families and legislators, SB625 aims to ensure that voucher money is not wasted and to place limits on how the funds can be spent. The bill does not target homeschool families specifically, but rather seeks to ensure accountability in the use of voucher funds. Rep. Jim Wooten, a supporter of public schools, expressed support for the bill as a way to put limits on the use of Educational Freedom Accounts.