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ArkansasHB10232026 Fiscal SessionHouse

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - SECRETARY'S OFFICE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Funding and staffing for Arkansas human services

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary’s Office gets about $69.894 million for operations. This includes about $38.546 million for regular salaries and $298,556 for temporary help, plus related staff and office costs. Staffing limits are 643 operations employees, one Secretary, and 28 temporary or part-time workers; temporary pay must follow classification limits. Separate funding includes $355,720 for the Secretary’s personal services: $287,042 for salaries and $68,678 for related costs. The law also provides $821,500 from the Consolidated Cost Revolving Fund: $800,000 for operations and $21,500 for capital purchases. Another $129,084 pays for purchased services, not direct household payments. A legislative subcommittee must review agency operations, focusing on Shared Services, Children and Family Services, and County Operations. The review includes fraud-unit and Inspector General input, findings within six months, monthly agency updates, and a final report at the 95th General Assembly’s final meeting.

Money for Arkansas human services facilities

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the law provides about $15.915 million from the new DHS Renovation Fund. It pays for construction, renovation, upkeep, equipment, and repairs at buildings operated by the Secretary’s Office. The fund can also pay for facility purchases and federal disallowances—costs the federal government refuses to cover. It can receive federal reimbursements, other available agency funds, and up to $5 million yearly in general-revenue transfers from specified divisions. Those general-revenue transfers must fund projects unanticipated during the preceding regular legislative session that cause greater harm if delayed until the next session. Transfers into or out of the fund need advance approval from the state’s chief fiscal officer, Governor, and Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. Remaining non-general-revenue money and committed general-revenue money carry forward as specified by the law.

Food assistance investigations protect participant identities

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, DHS’s Chief Counsel can transfer up to $12,000 to buy evidence. The money supports investigations of illegal food-stamp or EBT-card use, with approval from the state’s chief fiscal officer. Accounting must be substantially similar to the State Police’s accounting for these purchases. Information identifying participants in these evidence purchases is exempt from Arkansas public-records law, protecting identities but limiting public access. The law does not change food-assistance eligibility or benefit amounts.

Hospital repair reimbursements return to reserves

Effective July 1, 2024, DHS must transfer Arkansas State Hospital storm-repair insurance reimbursements and unused repair money to state reserves. Unused repair money transfers when the project is complete. Money goes to the EBD or Contingency Set-Aside in the Restricted Reserve Fund when it is active with a positive balance. If that set-aside is no longer active, money goes to the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund. DHS must notify fiscal officials and the legislative committee about receipts and remaining money. Quarterly reports must cover project progress, expected completion, reimbursements, and the balance of the original $5 million. These requirements continue until the final transfer, rather than ending June 30, 2027.

Human services transfers with funding safeguards

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, DHS can request budget and staff transfers for listed service needs. It can submit four requests during the year; unforeseen transfers cannot exceed 5% of authorized appropriations, funding, and positions. Each division can request transfers for only one listed purpose within each departmental request. Requests need advance approval from the chief fiscal officer, Governor, and Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee, with quarterly reporting. Emergency transfers can receive approval from the chief fiscal officer and committee co-chairs, followed by reporting at the next meeting. Medicaid money cannot move to non-Medicaid accounts, and Angela R. child-welfare resources cannot move to another division. Community-provider grants cannot decrease, and resources at the five Human Development Centers must remain sufficient for quality care. Separate authority lets DHS move money between agencies and divisions to cover state matching payments for federally reimbursable services. Those matching transfers need chief fiscal officer approval and quarterly legislative reports; the law does not change household eligibility or benefit rates.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Budget Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 265 • No: 43

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 29, 2026 11:26:46 AM

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 4/28/2026

House Vote - Tuesday, April 28, 2026 2:03:55 PM

Yes: 92 • No: 4 • Other: 2

House vote • 4/27/2026

House Vote - Monday, April 27, 2026 3:28:45 PM

Yes: 71 • No: 20 • Other: 3

House vote • 4/23/2026

House Vote - Thursday, April 23, 2026 11:30:08 AM

Yes: 68 • No: 19 • Other: 8

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that HB1023 is now Act 160

    5/1/2026House

  2. Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.

    4/29/2026House

  3. TO BE ENROLLED

    4/29/2026House

  4. Returned from the Senate as passed.

    4/29/2026House

  5. Returned to the House as Passed.

    4/29/2026Senate

  6. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/29/2026Senate

  7. Read the third time and passed.

    4/29/2026Senate

  8. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the calendar.

    4/28/2026Senate

  9. Received from the House.

    4/28/2026Senate

  10. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/28/2026House

  11. Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

    4/28/2026House

  12. Read the third time and failed.

    4/27/2026House

  13. Read the third time and failed.

    4/23/2026House

  14. Returned by the Committee Do Pass

    4/22/2026House

  15. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    4/21/2026House

  16. Amendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.

    4/21/2026House

  17. Placed on second reading for the purpose of amendment.

    4/21/2026House

  18. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

    4/8/2026House

  19. Filed

    4/1/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB1023 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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