AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AND THE DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE - ARKANSAS BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

HB 1259 allocates $2.38 million from the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund to the University of Arkansas Biosciences Institute and $2.42 million to the Division of Agriculture Biosciences Institute for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funding covers salaries, operating expenses, and capital projects for these specific research programs at the two university entities. It does not create new policies but provides budgetary support for existing biosciences initiatives. The bill includes restrictions on transferring funds between budget categories without approval from the Division of Higher Education, Chief Fiscal Officer, and the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.