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ArkansasHB10352026 Fiscal SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAMS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Arkansas authorizes Medicaid cancer care funding

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Arkansas Health Department can transfer $500,000 for Medicaid cancer services. The money moves from the Prevention and Cessation Program Account to the Breast Cancer Control Fund. It supports the state's matching share for breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment. This transfer is the Department's only state-match obligation for those services. It funds services rather than direct payments to recipients.

Arkansas funds tobacco prevention and quitting

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides about $14.7 million for Arkansas health program operations. The money comes from the Prevention and Cessation Program Account, not direct payments to households. It includes about $9.22 million for tobacco prevention and quitting, plus $603,629 for nutrition and physical activity. Other amounts are about $1.74 million for regular salaries, $50,000 for temporary workers, and $600,972 for related employee costs. The budget also includes $185,000 for operating costs, $25,000 for conferences and travel, and about $2.28 million for professional services. Capital purchases and data processing each receive $0. Spending must follow state purchasing and budget rules and stay within approved amounts and available funds. Budget transfers require prior Legislative Council approval and cannot exceed available money or spending authority. Transfers from capital purchases or data processing require specific legal authority, except approved cost-saving transfers from capital purchases to data processing.

Arkansas health staffing authorized but capped

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Arkansas authorizes up to 31 regular tobacco program employees. The approved positions include 14 registered nurses, with job titles and pay grades set by the law. The Health Department can also use up to four part-time or temporary workers when needed. Their pay must come from money set aside for that purpose and cannot exceed approved pay rates.

Settlement-funded workers get notices, not guarantees

These funding rules apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Arkansas cannot replace expired Tobacco Settlement money with state funds without a legislative appropriation and the Governor's approval. The law does not guarantee continued funding for positions when settlement money runs short. The Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission must share funding notices with new and current workers whose positions use settlement money. When applicable, the notice must also appear in employee handbooks or professional services contracts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Budget Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 181 • No: 33

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 2:15:06 PM

Yes: 83 • No: 13 • Other: 2

House vote • 4/27/2026

House Vote - Monday, April 27, 2026 3:29:10 PM

Yes: 64 • No: 20 • Other: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that HB1035 is now Act 162

    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.

    4/29/2026House

  6. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/29/2026House

  7. Read the third time and passed.

    4/29/2026House

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

    4/28/2026House

  9. Received from the House.

    4/28/2026House

  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. Returned by the Committee Do Pass

    4/23/2026House

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

    4/8/2026House

  15. Filed

    4/1/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB1035 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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