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.
Senate Bill 48, now enacted as Act 22, provides funding for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The law establishes specific maximum numbers of regular employees and sets salary rates for various administrative and operational positions, including leadership roles, IT staff, and support personnel. This legislation directly affects the university's ability to hire and compensate its workforce during the specified period.
Senate Bill 40, now enacted as Act 17, provides funding for the University of Arkansas System and various state divisions for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation establishes specific maximum numbers of regular employees and sets salary rates for administrative, academic, and support positions across the system. Directly affected entities include the University of Arkansas System administration, the Arkansas Archaeological Survey, and the Criminal Justice Institute, which will use these funds to cover personnel costs for the upcoming year.
This bill authorizes funding for the Arkansas Minority Health Commission within the Department of Health for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates approximately $211,000 to cover salaries for three specific staff members, including a director and two coordinators, along with operating expenses such as maintenance, travel, and conference costs. The legislation also provides a small cash fund for general personal services and establishes a process requiring legislative approval before the commission can use money for promotional items. By setting these financial limits and staffing levels, the act ensures the commission has the necessary resources to function while maintaining state oversight over its budget.
This bill authorizes funding for the Arkansas Department of Commerce's Division of Aeronautics for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates approximately $16.5 million in state funds to cover salaries for six specific employees, general operating expenses, and grants for cities and counties, while also setting aside $12 million for federal airport grant expenses. The legislation establishes the maximum number of staff positions and outlines how the money can be spent on items like professional fees, travel, and airport-related projects. By becoming Act 3, the bill ensures the division can continue its operations immediately starting July 1, 2026, without interruption.
This bill, now Act 6, provides funding for the Arkansas Ethics Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It authorizes the hiring of up to 11 specific staff members, including a director, attorneys, and investigators, and allocates a total of $1,157,725 for their salaries and operating expenses. The funds are drawn from the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account and must be spent in accordance with state laws regarding procurement and budgeting. This legislation ensures the commission has the necessary resources to continue its operations and enforce ethics laws for the upcoming year.
Senate Bill 50, now Act 24, provides funding for the Arkansas State University-Newport campus for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation establishes specific salary rates and maximum employee counts for various administrative, academic, and support positions, including roles in IT, public safety, and student services. This bill directly affects the university's budget and staffing levels by setting the financial parameters for these regular employees during the upcoming year.
SB 28 allocates funding for the South Arkansas College for the 2026-2027 fiscal year by establishing specific salary rates and maximum employee counts for various administrative and operational roles. The bill directly affects the college's workforce by setting caps on positions such as the President, IT staff, counselors, and public safety officers, along with their corresponding annual salaries. Once enacted into law as Act 11, this legislation authorizes the college to hire and pay employees within these defined limits to support its operations.
Senate Bill 57, now Act 26, provides funding for the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill authorizes the hiring of up to 235 regular employees and 72 temporary or part-time staff to support school operations. It allocates a total of approximately $21.7 million from state funds and federal sources to cover salaries, maintenance, utilities, and other operational expenses.
