Arkansas Bills

This bill reappropriates specific funds to the Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services' Building Authority Division for ongoing state building projects. The legislation allocates money from previous fiscal years to cover the completion of hydronic piping abatement at a state-owned facility and various maintenance and repair tasks across other state properties. It includes standard financial controls to ensure contracts do not exceed available funds and that these capital funds are not mixed with general operating budgets. The act is designated as an emergency measure to allow the spending to begin on July 1, 2026, complying with state constitutional limits on how long appropriations can remain unspent.

Senate Bill 42, now Act 80, allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The legislation establishes specific salary rates and maximum employee counts for various administrative, medical, and technical positions within the institution. By defining these staffing levels and compensation caps, the bill directly impacts the university's budget and human resources management for the upcoming year.

This bill provides funding for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, covering both state operations and veterans' homes. It authorizes the hiring of up to 305 regular employees and allows for an additional 30 temporary or part-time staff members to assist with daily operations. The legislation appropriates approximately $2.6 million for state-level activities and over $11 million for veterans' homes, including salaries, operating expenses, and support for county veterans' service offices.

Senate Bill 45 authorizes state funding for the University of Arkansas at Monticello for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover employee salaries and operating expenses. The law establishes specific maximum numbers and salary rates for various administrative and educational positions, including leadership roles like the Chancellor and numerous IT and support staff. Once signed into law, the bill becomes Act 19 and provides the financial resources necessary for the university to maintain its operations and personnel for the upcoming year.

This act authorizes funding for the Office of the Prosecutor Coordinator in Arkansas for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates approximately $1.52 million for salaries, benefits, and operational expenses to support the office's core staff, which includes prosecutors, attorneys, and administrative personnel. The legislation also provides $606,461 specifically for the "Paws for Justice" state program to employ certified dog handlers and a coordinator. Additionally, the bill funds $70,660 for law enforcement and prosecutor drug enforcement training and $88,881 for student loan repayment assistance for eligible public defenders and deputy prosecuting attorneys.

This bill authorizes funding for the Arkansas Department of Corrections' Post-Prison Transfer Board for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates approximately $2.47 million to cover salaries for 21 staff members, including a board chair, hearing officers, and administrative support, as well as general operating expenses like travel and maintenance. The legislation ensures the board can continue its work in managing post-release transfers and related services without interruption. It also declares an emergency to guarantee the funds are available starting July 1, 2026, to prevent harm to essential government operations.

This bill appropriates $22.5 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research and the Legislative Council. The legislation authorizes the hiring of up to 134 regular employees and 31 temporary or part-time staff to support legislative operations, research, and committee services. Funds are allocated for salaries, operating expenses, committee room costs, and reimbursement for state representatives attending committee meetings.

This bill provides funding for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, affecting the agency's ability to pay salaries and operate. It authorizes the hiring of up to 87 regular employees and 20 temporary staff while appropriating approximately $218 million for internal operations and $1.7 billion for paying retirement benefits to non-employee beneficiaries. The legislation also allocates specific funds for investment consultants, discount buyout plans, and general operating expenses like travel and professional fees.

SB 46 authorizes state funding for the Arkansas State University Three Rivers campus for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill establishes the maximum number of regular employees and their corresponding salary rates across various administrative, IT, and operational roles. Once enacted as Act 20, it sets the budgetary limits for personal services and operating expenses for the university during that specific fiscal period.

This bill authorizes funding and staffing for the Arkansas Minority Health Commission's Minority Health Initiative for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates approximately $1.8 million from the Targeted State Needs Program to cover employee salaries, operational expenses, professional fees, and outreach activities aimed at improving health outcomes for minority populations. The legislation also establishes a maximum staff size of six regular employees and sets specific rules for how funds can be transferred between budget categories with oversight from the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.

Senate Bill 37, now Act 15, provides funding for the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation authorizes the hiring of up to 105 full-time employees and allows for additional temporary staff to support the commission's operations. It appropriates approximately $12 million from the Workers' Compensation Fund to cover salaries, administrative costs, and operating expenses, while also allocating $21.55 million from the Death and Permanent Total Disability Trust Fund for specific death and disability claims.

Senate Bill 44 authorizes funding for the Southeast Arkansas College for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, directly affecting the institution's ability to operate and hire staff. The bill establishes specific maximum numbers of regular employees and sets salary rates for various administrative, academic, and support positions, including roles in leadership, IT, student services, and public safety. By defining these staffing limits and compensation levels, the legislation provides the legal framework for the college to manage its personnel budget for the upcoming year.