Budget

This bill amends Arkansas insurance laws to require insurers to provide detailed monthly reports to group health policyholders with more than 25 employees. Under the new rules, these reports must include data on premiums, medical and pharmacy claims, and the total number of enrolled members. Additionally, insurers must generate a separate report for any individual member whose claims exceed $10,000, detailing their coverage status and specific claim amounts. These changes directly affect large employers in Arkansas who purchase group health insurance and the insurance companies that issue those policies. The legislation focuses on increasing transparency by ensuring employers receive clearer information about how their health insurance funds are being used.

This bill authorizes funding for the Arkansas Department of Health's Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Programs for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It establishes a budget of approximately $14.7 million to cover salaries for up to 31 permanent staff members, temporary workers, and various operating expenses like professional fees and travel. The legislation also outlines specific rules for how these funds can be transferred between budget categories and clarifies that state money cannot replace tobacco settlement funds if those funds run out.

This bill appropriates funding for the Division of County Operations within the Department of Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directly affects county-level social service agencies by establishing their budget and staffing levels. The legislation authorizes specific salaries for two new positions - a Social Services Supervisor/Expert and a Procurement Coordinator - and adjusts the total budget amount from the previous draft. Additionally, the bill removes a specific section regarding the creation of a new job classification that was included in an earlier version. Once enacted as Act 127, these changes provide the financial framework for the department to operate during the upcoming fiscal year.

HB 1041, now Act 125, establishes the staffing levels and salary rates for the Secretary of State's office for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This legislation directly affects the department by setting maximum employee counts and annual pay for 187 specific positions, ranging from senior leadership roles like the Chief Deputy at $160,067 to entry-level staff such as Mail Clerks at $45,000. Additionally, the bill authorizes a total appropriation of $25,699,646 for these regular salaries, an increase from the previous budgeted amount. The law provides the financial framework to fund the department's operations but does not alter the core functions or duties of the office.

HB 1102 proposes a $400,000 state grant to the Department of Veterans Affairs to support the Veterans Council of NW Arkansas. The funds are designated specifically for the construction, renovation, upgrade, and expansion of the Veterans Wall of Honor in Bella Vista, Arkansas. The bill includes an emergency clause to ensure the money is available starting July 1, 2026, and outlines standard state financial rules for spending. Although the legislation was introduced in April 2026, it did not advance beyond the House Budget Committee before the session ended.