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SB 52 Arkansas Senate · 2026 Fiscal Session

AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

This bill appropriates additional funding for the Arkansas Public Defender Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It specifically increases the budget allocation by $19,000, raising the total amount available to the commission from $35,613,416 to $35,632,416. The funds are intended to support the public defender system, which provides legal representation to individuals who cannot afford attorneys in criminal cases. Once enacted, this legislation becomes Act 81 and directs the state treasurer to disburse the updated sum to the commission.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates additional funding ($19,000) to the Public Defender Commission, strengthening the state budget allocation for essential legal services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases funding for the Public Defender Commission, enhancing legal representation for indigent defendants and strengthening access to justice within the criminal justice system.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Apr 1, 2026 Signed Apr 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Act 81 → SB 52 · 1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was updated from 'Act 81' to 'SB 52' with a minor formatting adjustment to the 'Extra Help' funding line. The specific amount for Extra Help funding remains unchanged at $12,000, indicating no substantive policy or budgetary impact.
TECHNICAL

The legislative title was changed from 'Act 81' to 'SB 52', and the spacing for the 'Extra Help' line item was adjusted without altering the dollar amount.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
9
Committee
3
Apr 27, 2026
Signed into law
Notification that SB52 is now Act 81
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned from the House as passed.
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned To Senate as Passed.
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Considered in the Committee of the Whole, and recommended do pass.
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read the third time and passed.
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Introduced
Filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.