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SB 72 Arkansas Senate · 2026 Fiscal Session

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REAPPROPRIATION.

This bill reappropriates specific funds to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to support various economic initiatives starting July 1, 2026. The legislation allocates money for loans to minority and women-owned businesses, grants for public works and job training, and funding for infrastructure projects like industrial parks and water systems. It also provides resources for grant matching programs and strategic planning activities while maintaining strict financial controls on how the funds are spent. Ultimately, the bill ensures the continuity of state economic development programs by authorizing the use of previously approved budget balances.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly reappropriates funds to support economic development, job training, and infrastructure projects.95% 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 14, 2026 Signed Apr 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Act 93 → SB 72 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill transitions from a repealed Act 93 to a new Senate Bill 72, establishing specific funding allocations for economic development projects in Arkansas. It authorizes up to $375,000 for water and sewer system improvements and $80,100 for strategic plan implementation, effective July 1, 2026. The bill also introduces strict disbursement controls to ensure funds are used only for the listed projects and not for general agency operations.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifts from a repealed act to a new legislative vehicle (SB 72) that explicitly defines eligible projects, including industrial parks, aerospace expansion, and intermodal facilities, while adding specific dollar limits and effective dates.
FISCAL

Added specific funding caps of $375,000 for water/sewer improvements and $80,100 for strategic plan implementation, replacing the repealed Act 93.

TIMELINE

Established an effective date of July 1, 2026, for the new appropriations.

REQUIREMENT

Introduced new disbursement controls requiring contracts to stay within available Treasury funds and prohibiting the use of these specific funds for general maintenance or operations.

SCOPE

Expanded the list of eligible projects to include technology parks, aerospace industry expansion, and environmental mitigation projects.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
8
Committee
1
Apr 27, 2026
Signed into law
Notification that SB72 is now Act 93
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned from the House as passed.
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned to the 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 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 14, 2026
Introduced
Filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.