All Roll Calls
Yes: 128 • No: 0
ArkansasHB12592025 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AND THE DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE - ARKANSAS BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Funding for Arkansas university biosciences research
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law funds two University of Arkansas biosciences programs. The money comes from the Arkansas Biosciences Institute Program Account within the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund. The university’s Biosciences Institute gets a $2.375563 million spending authorization. This includes $480,000 for salaries, $75,000 for related employee costs, $800,000 for operations, and $1.020563 million for capital purchases. Its conference and travel, professional fees, and data processing budgets are each $0. The Division of Agriculture’s Biosciences Institute gets a $2.415432 million spending authorization. This includes $1.37 million for salaries, $365,432 for related employee costs, and $400,000 for operations. It also includes $30,000 for conferences and travel, $100,000 for professional fees, and $150,000 for capital purchases. Its data processing budget is $0. Spending must follow state purchasing, accounting, budget, salary, and finance department rules. It must also serve the purposes documented in the tobacco settlement law and related budget materials. This funding does not create a direct household payment.
Approval rules for university funding transfers
From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the university can move funds only between budget lines within each appropriation. It must first get approval from the Division of Higher Education and the state’s Chief Fiscal Officer. The Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee must also approve. The state’s general appropriation-transfer authority does not apply; transfers must follow this law. If the legislative approval requirement is ruled unconstitutional, the entire special transfer section is void.
Funding limits and notices for settlement-funded workers
From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law does not guarantee continued funding for tobacco settlement-funded jobs. That limit applies when tobacco settlement money is insufficient. When that money expires, replacement state funding requires a legislative appropriation and the Governor’s authorization. The Tobacco Settlement Commission must give new hires and current workers notice of both funding limits. Where applicable, the information must also appear in employee handbooks and professional services contracts funded by tobacco settlement money.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Joint Budget Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, February 11, 2025 2:28:34 PM
Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 2/10/2025
House Vote - Monday, February 10, 2025 3:15:06 PM
Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1259 is now Act 88
2/13/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
2/11/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
2/11/2025HouseReturned from the Senate as passed.
2/11/2025HouseReturned to the House as Passed.
2/11/2025SenateEMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
2/11/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
2/11/2025SenateRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the calendar.
2/10/2025SenateReceived from the House.
2/10/2025SenateEMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
2/10/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
2/10/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
2/6/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
1/27/2025HouseFiled
1/27/2025House
Bill Text
HB1259 - Introduced
1/27/2025
Act Version
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