ArkansasHB15082025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

TO RECODIFY TITLE 19 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING PUBLIC FINANCE; AND TO AMEND LAWS RESULTING FROM INITIATED ACTS 2000, NO. 1; AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO THE ARKANSAS CODE.

Sponsored By: Clarke Tucker (Democratic), Matthew J. Shepherd (Republican)

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

399 provisions identified: 248 benefits, 48 costs, 103 mixed.

More Medicaid care for eligible Arkansans

The law creates a distinct Medicaid Expansion Program within Arkansas Medicaid. It expands medical help for pregnant women and hospital benefits and payments for adults ages 19–64. Adults 65 and older get expanded coverage and benefits outside institutions. Adults and children who qualify for intellectual or developmental disability services get expanded care, home and community services, and job supports. Spending must follow the Arkansas Medicaid Program as approved by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Extra pay available for eligible state workers

State agencies can pay legally authorized extra compensation only when they have an extra-salary appropriation. The total limit is $7,000 per employee per fiscal year. Physician limits are $4,500 for board-certified doctors and $2,500 for doctors eligible for board certification. Doctors certified in child or forensic psychiatry can receive another $2,500, within the overall limit.

Teacher academy scholarships cover remaining tuition

The Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program Fund can reimburse eligible colleges for academy scholarships. Scholarships cover remaining tuition and fees after other gifts, aid, and grants are applied. Recipients must attend an academy at an eligible college. The fund also supports attendees employed by public school districts, graduate induction services, and recruitment and related administration. Annual marketing, promotion, recruitment, retention, and administration spending cannot exceed 3% of fund money.

State funding limits cover services and roads

Beginning July 1, 2024, the state makes proportional monthly general-revenue allocations for fiscal year 2024–2025 and each year after. The listed funds support education, human services, state government, local governments, and higher education. Allocations follow each fund's share of listed maximums, with a combined annual ceiling of $6.311460566 billion or available revenue, whichever is lower. After those maximum allocations, the first $200 million remaining is split: 75% to the revenue reserve and 25% to transportation. The transportation transfer cannot exceed $50 million per fiscal year.

Dedicated fund helps compensate crime victims

The law creates the Crime Victims Reparations Revolving Fund to compensate and assist crime victims. Assistance follows the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Act. The fund receives State Administration of Justice Fund transfers, 24% of fees under § 12-12-1510(c), and other board receipts. This provision does not set individual payment amounts.

State fund pays approved household claims

A revolving fund pays claims and aid authorized by the General Assembly. Covered claims include surviving spouses or dependent children of deceased police officers, firefighters, and state transportation employees. It also supports local government employee workers’ compensation and scholarships for children of officers and firefighters killed on duty. The fund can pay tax refunds and livestock or poultry loss payments. Livestock and poultry payments cannot exceed the amount appropriated for the current two-year budget period; individual awards are not stated.

Communication equipment for people with disabilities

The Telecommunications Equipment Fund supports only Arkansas Rehabilitation Services' equipment distribution program. Equipment is available to people certified as deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and blind, or speech-impaired. The law does not state an equipment value.

Disaster aid for people and families

The Disaster Assistance Fund supports grants, loans, and aid after a declared emergency or major disaster. Recipients must qualify under the Arkansas Emergency Services Act or applicable federal law. Budget Stabilization Trust Fund transfers for state disaster aid cannot exceed $16.25 million per fiscal year. This is a statewide transfer cap, not an individual award amount.

Equipment loans for people with disabilities

Qualified people with disabilities and their family members can seek loans through the Technology Equipment Revolving Loan Fund. Loans support purchases or changes to equipment, facilities, and related services. These must help a person with a disability live independently, work productively, or participate fully in the community. Loan amounts, interest rates, and repayment terms are not stated.

Grant funding helps children with catastrophic illnesses

A dedicated fund supports Baby Sharon's Children's Catastrophic Illness Grant Program. It receives amounts certified quarterly and other revenues authorized by law. The program committee must use the fund only for this grant program. Payments depend on appropriations for each year of the two-year budget period. The provision sets no grant amounts or eligibility criteria.

Housing and treatment for exploited children

The law creates a Human Services fund for housing, healthcare, and social services for sexually exploited children. Children must be under 18 and meet a listed trafficking, prostitution, or sexual-solicitation test. The federal child sex-trafficking test uses the definition in place on January 1, 2013. The fund also supports provider grants and operating costs; no funding amount is stated.

Long-term care residents get protection funding

The Long-Term Care Trust Fund uses penalties on facilities that violate state or federal requirements to protect residents' health and property. The Human Services Secretary administers the fund. It can pay for relocation, continued facility operations during repairs or closure, and reimbursement of lost personal funds. It can also support programs the long-term care director selects to improve residents' quality of life. No individual payment amount is stated.

Relief funding for Guard and reserve families

The Military Family Relief Trust Fund supports Arkansas National Guard and reserve members and their families. The Adjutant General or a designee uses the money only for assistance through the military family relief check-off program. Payments depend on appropriations for each fiscal year of the two-year budget period. Payment amounts and detailed eligibility rules are not stated.

Border students receive qualifying tuition help

The tuition adjustment fund pays colleges the difference between approved out-of-state tuition and approved in-state or out-of-district tuition. Students must receive an out-of-state tuition waiver and be Arkansas income taxpayers or dependents of one. They must live in a bordering-state county adjoining Arkansas and an Arkansas county with a higher education institution. The student or an Arkansas-taxpaying parent or guardian must work in Arkansas and earn more than $5,500 yearly. Proof requires a prior-year W-2 showing at least $5,500 in Arkansas wages or current-year employer verification of at least $5,500 salary; the higher education division tracks and reports qualifying students.

Competitive pay fund supports science teachers

The law establishes a fund to provide industry-competitive income for certified, qualified Arkansas science, technology, engineering, and math teachers. Its purpose is to recruit, attract, and retain those teachers. Unspent money carries forward for the same purpose. The law sets no individual pay amount or total funding amount.

Dedicated funds support teacher pay incentives

The Department of Education maintains and distributes money for teacher minimum salaries and raises authorized by state law. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education also maintains money for the Merit Teacher Incentive Program. Unspent money in both funds carries forward for the same purposes. These provisions do not set salary or incentive amounts or add individual eligibility rules.

Extended pay for shorter-term state workers

State employees whose legally established service period is shorter than 12 months can receive pay for the remaining year. This includes school-year positions. The agency must need their services during the extra period, and pay comes from bank funds.

Funding helps agencies pay approved raises

A state fund can transfer money and spending authority to agencies lacking enough resources for approved salary adjustments or raises. It also supports related payroll matching-cost adjustments. Raises must be authorized by the General Assembly. Performance-based raises must follow state fiscal officer rules. This provision does not guarantee a raise or set its amount.

Funds support agriculture and veterinary scholarships

The Department of Agriculture maintains the Agri Scholarship Program Fund, with unspent money carried forward for the program. The Veterinary Medical Practice Fund supports the Livestock and Poultry Commission's duties and the Rural Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. It may also deposit up to $30,000 each year into the Agri Scholarship Program. These provisions do not state individual scholarship amounts or eligibility details.

State backs truck driving student loans

The Securities Reserve Fund can guarantee training loans for students at the Arkansas Commercial Driver Training Institute at Arkansas State University-Newport. Total guaranteed principal outstanding cannot exceed $400,000 at any one time. That is a program-wide cap, not a per-student loan amount. This provision does not state individual loan amounts or repayment terms.

State workers can keep final leave pay

Final state pay can include amounts due and unused annual or holiday leave payable under agency policy. This applies after termination, resignation, retirement, death, or another separation. Retirement sick-leave pay follows the law, and covered final payments can exceed the usual fractional salary limit. Workers returning after receiving additional compensation do not have to wait for covered days to pass or repay the money.

State workers receive workplace injury protections

The Workers' Compensation Commission exclusively handles state employee and officer claims for injuries or deaths arising from state work. Covered claims use the same procedures and award rules as covered private employment. Agency leaders must report employee injuries or deaths within 10 days after learning of them, using approved forms and required details. At each legislative session, lawmakers must provide enough money for claims payable or likely payable in the next fiscal year. The Commission must promptly arrange award and related-expense payments from available appropriations; no individual award amount is set here.

Transferred state workers keep earned protections

Employees transferred through the Office of Title XX Services reorganization cannot lose their merit-system status because of the transfer. Affected employees who belong to a retirement system keep benefits already earned. They can remain in that system or join another system for which the transfer makes them eligible. They must choose within six months after the transfer.

Workers' compensation framework covers state agencies

Arkansas state agencies count as employers under the workers' compensation law. This extends the employer framework to agency employees. The provision sets no individual award amount and does not change award calculations.

Pollution technology loans for small businesses

The Division of Environmental Quality manages a revolving loan fund for small-business pollution-control and prevention technologies. Money can be used only for purposes authorized by the fund's governing law. Transfers, investment income, repayments, recovered loan losses, and other available money replenish the fund. The provision states no loan amounts, terms, or detailed eligibility criteria.

Fine revenues support local emergency responders

The Arkansas Citizens First Responder Safety Enhancement Fund receives 80% of fines collected under Arkansas Code § 27-22-111(a). It also receives fines collected under § 27-22-103(c)(1). Subject to legislative spending approval, half supports emergency medical services and half supports local law enforcement. This provision states no total funding amount.

State funding supports emergency communications and training

The Arkansas Public Safety Trust Fund distributes up to $14,000 monthly for emergency management administrative support. Each fiscal quarter, it distributes up to $62,500 for law enforcement standards and training. It also distributes up to $2 million quarterly for Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrades and maintenance. After these distributions are satisfied, remaining money goes monthly to the Arkansas 911 Board.

Emergency medical funds support providers and trauma

At fiscal year-end, remaining emergency medical enhancement funds send 50% to grants for eligible state-licensed emergency medical services. Another 10% supports administration, training, education, equipment, supplies, and testing; 5% supports qualifying training sites. Special projects and specialized training receive 10%, while the trauma system and registry receive 20%. The final 5% supports quality oversight, ambulance inspection and licensing, and vehicle registration. Training sites must meet state certification standards; special projects need division approval and must meet the specified 1998 federal training curriculum.

Dedicated funds support roads and bridges

A dedicated road and bridge fund receives designated collections and other authorized revenues for transportation department duties. It pays for maintenance, operation, and improvements. A separate Highway Transfer Fund provides additional construction and maintenance funding when department revenues are insufficient. Transfers require Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee approval before the Chief Fiscal Officer can move the money. No funding total is stated.

Highway construction pilot has project limits

The State Highway Commission can test a construction manager-general contractor method for transportation projects. Phase one allows up to five projects totaling no more than $200 million, with none above $100 million. Beginning August 1, 2023, phase two allows five additional projects not already in procurement, totaling no more than $500 million. No phase-two project can exceed $150 million, and the pilot must end by June 30, 2026. These limits cover construction cost estimates, not appropriated spending.

Arkansas directs revenue into catastrophe reserves

Arkansas sends additional available revenue to the Catastrophic Reserve Fund when it falls below 20% of the last general-revenue distributions. Transfers stop when the balance reaches 20% and cannot push it above that level. An existing balance above 20% stays in the fund unless the General Assembly directs otherwise.

Tobacco settlement money supports program funds

The Arkansas Healthy Century Trust Fund receives $100 million in initial tobacco settlement principal, plus interest earnings. It supports programs authorized by the law, without setting individual benefits or eligibility here. Each July 1, investment earnings from the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund and its accounts go to the Tobacco Settlement Commission Fund. That money pays authorized Commission expenses, including monitoring and evaluation, and supports authorized grants.

Fiscal violations bring fines and removal

The Attorney General can sue public officers or employees for violations of state fiscal laws. A court finding a knowing violation must impose a $100 to $1,000 civil penalty for each violation. Direct damages, court costs, and attorney fees can also be recovered as specified. An official or employee convicted of knowingly submitting false information for a Budget Stabilization Trust Fund loan must be removed from office or employment.

Post-job business limits for state workers

Former state workers are permanently barred from representing outsiders in matters they personally and substantially handled where the State has a covered interest. A one-year ban also covers matters they officially oversaw where the State is a party or has a direct or substantial interest. Related limits apply to partners in covered matters. Workers whose last annual state salary exceeded $15,000 cannot sell or try to sell goods or services to the State for one year after leaving. Selling includes bids, negotiations, contract contacts, dispute settlements, and related sales activity.

Repeat inmate claims face dismissal

The Claims Commission may dismiss later claims or motions from inmates in the correction or community correction divisions. This applies after more than three unsuccessful claims or actions within two years under the covered claims process. The dismissal power lasts for one year after the third unsuccessful claim is dismissed.

State claims face stricter legal requirements

The Claims Commission cannot award a claim that a court would dismiss for legal reasons other than sovereign immunity. That exception concerns the state's protection from lawsuits. Claimants must include proof that they exhausted all available state or administrative remedies with their initial filing. Missing proof can lead to dismissal without deciding the claim's merits. The commission also cannot hear subrogation claims, such as an insurer's claim to recover money it paid.

Pay limits for Arkansas state employees

State salaries generally cannot exceed the approved annual maximum or one-twelfth of that amount each month. Exceptions include authorized overtime, terminal payments, and some shorter-term or school-year work; approved weekly or biweekly pay is allowed. Second-agency work generally needs written approval from the Transformation and Shared Services Secretary and both agency heads, and cannot interfere with duties. Combined salaries generally cannot exceed the higher authorized annual maximum; some adjunct teaching and public-defender work is exempt, but not during paid sick leave. Work involving another college requires written approval from the Higher Education Commissioner and remains subject to a pay cap.

State worker pay must follow legal caps

Covered state positions follow the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act's entrance-pay, raise, and maximum-pay rules unless law provides an exception. A position's dollar maximum applies to full-time employment and cannot be exceeded during the fiscal year. Agencies must consider ability and length of service when setting annual salaries. Combining appropriated, cash, or agency bank funds cannot bypass lawmakers' pay limits. Compensation above the established maximum needs specific legal authorization.

Ethics penalties with hearing protections

A knowing violation of the ethics chapter is an unclassified felony, punishable after conviction by up to $10,000, one to five years in prison, or both. The shared-services secretary can warn employees, take pay, suspend them with or without pay, or fire them for ethics breaches. For nonemployees, remedies include warnings, ending transactions, suspension, or bans from state contracting. Before these administrative remedies, the affected person must receive notice and a chance for a hearing. The State can also recover value received or transferred through a breach.

Lawsuit protections cover more public workers

State officers and employees are protected from lawsuits and personal liability for nonmalicious acts within their job duties. Protection does not apply to the extent liability insurance covers them. Covered employee status includes people acting under qualifying agreements with another state or the District of Columbia. It also includes qualifying charitable workers transporting welfare-to-work participants, but not defined motor carriers. Dental residents and faculty from an adjoining state qualify while performing assigned pediatric duties at an Arkansas hospital dental clinic.

State claim payments face caps and offsets

The Claims Commission cannot pay an award exceeding $15,000. Larger awards need General Assembly approval and, if approved, an appropriation before payment. The commission reduces damages awards by insurance benefits received when premiums were not paid by or for the claimant. No reduction under this rule applies when the claimant paid the premium or someone paid it on the claimant's behalf.

State claimants must pursue insurance first

The Claims Commission cannot hear a claim until the claimant exhausts all insurance remedies, including against their own insurer. Each claim needs a sworn commission form confirming this and listing total insurance benefits paid. The claimant signs it, with the insurer and legal counsel, if any, witnessing it. Receiving or being owed insurance benefits alone cannot cause dismissal with prejudice, which bars bringing the claim again.

State debts face collection and relief

State agencies must actively collect debts, including contacting debtors or using licensed collectors or attorneys. Collector pay is capped at 50% for debts of $500 or less and 33⅓% for larger debts. For larger debts, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee can approve collector pay up to 50%. Agencies must refer uncollectible balances to the Chief Fiscal Officer after pursuing collection. That officer may approve debt cancellation in writing after confirming collection efforts are complete; cancellation is not automatic.

Health students get aid with commitments

A dedicated fund supports University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences maternal health training, including residencies, fellowships, and covered certifications. Students in covered programs may receive scholarships or loans but must agree to practice in Arkansas for at least two years. The Nursing Student Scholarship Fund separately provides nursing scholarships or other financial help. The Graduate Nurse Educator Loan and Scholarship Board administers that nursing fund. These provisions do not state award amounts or recipient totals.

Street aid includes city matching requirements

The State Aid Street Fund receives one cent per gallon from distributions of existing motor fuel and distillate fuel taxes. It supports municipal street construction, reconstruction, and improvements under the State Aid Streets Law and statutory allocation rules. Cities with more than 25,000 residents must provide at least a 10% match for the fund's 90% share. Other municipalities receive 100% state aid. Allocated money remains available for two years, after which unused amounts return for redistribution.

State agencies and colleges get temporary loans

The Budget Stabilization Trust Fund can lend temporarily to specified state funds, colleges, and qualifying new agencies or programs. Colleges must send cash balances, reasons for shortages, expected loan length, and repayment plans to higher-education and state fiscal officials. College loans require a finding of operational need and available funds, and repayment by June 30 of that fiscal year. New programs supported solely by non-general-revenue and nonfederal money can borrow only as needed to carry out their authorizing law. Other borrowers must meet the repayment deadlines set for their loan purposes.

Dedicated fund supports Arkansas disaster relief

The Arkansas Disaster Relief Program Trust Fund supports disaster assistance through spending approved by lawmakers. The Department of Finance and Administration manages and disburses the money. Funding includes income-tax checkoffs certified quarterly, interest, gifts, grants, and donations. This provision sets no household eligibility rules or payment amounts.

Dedicated support for fallen officers' beneficiaries

The law establishes a fund supporting beneficiaries of fallen law enforcement officers, using revenues authorized by law. The Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training decides what support and assistance it provides. This provision sets no assistance amount, form, or payment schedule.

Donated money supports arson information rewards

The Governor can use private and corporate donations to pay or increase arson information rewards. Information must lead to the arrest of a person who commits arson. The provision sets no reward amount.

Extra financial help for police retirees

The Policemen's Pension Supplement Program Fund provides extra financial help to eligible retired police officers and their survivors. Recipients must receive a pension from a policemen's pension and relief fund and meet Arkansas Code § 24-11-211 requirements. The fund receives a specified share of unallocated insurer premium taxes. This provision sets no payment amount or schedule.

Payment protections for state claim awards

For valid state claims paid outside the State Treasury, agencies send payment through the Claims Commission director to the claimant. Valid employment compensation claims go through state payroll instead. Commission awards cannot be assigned, and liens cannot attach to them. For awards over $15,000 with additional named payees, the commission may deposit money with Pulaski County Circuit Court. After reasonable notice, the court decides competing interests and their priority; this process excludes insurance-company subrogation claims.

Public can review federal funding applications

Individuals, organizations, and government units can request review of federal funding applications through Arkansas’s clearinghouse process. They can also submit comments, subject to the limits in that part of the law. This provides a review opportunity, not a promise that an application receives funding.

Selected finance board members receive stipends

State Board of Finance members listed in Arkansas Code § 19-3-501(b)(7)-(10) receive $100 for each meeting they participate in. Payments come from money appropriated to the Treasurer of State. Total pay depends on meeting participation.

Banks must cash smaller state checks

Banks serving as state depositories must cash state checks or warrants of $500 or less for the named payee. The payee must present the payment within 30 days of issuance. Banks may take reasonable time to verify identity and signature and seek protection against losses from paying the wrong person. A refusing bank immediately loses its depository status and cannot return for a period set by the State Board of Finance.

Check payments remain available to residents

The state Treasurer must accept checks for money owed to Arkansas. Other state agencies, boards, commissions, and institutions cannot refuse personal checks without filing a written reason with the Legislative Council.

Funding buys child safety seats

The Arkansas Child Passenger Protection Fund pays for child safety seats purchased by the Arkansas Highway Safety Program. Purchases follow the Child Passenger Protection Act. The fund uses designated revenues and money appropriated, allocated, or donated to it. No funding total or guaranteed household benefit is stated.

Funds support manufactured home buyer protections

The Manufactured Home Standards Fund supports the state commission's operations, improvements, and legal duties. A separate Manufactured Housing Recovery Fund receives fees collected under the state's recovery law. Recovery money can be used only for purposes allowed by that law. Eligible claimants may benefit, but this provision sets no individual award amount.

Cancer relief funds help qualifying firefighters

The Arkansas Firefighter Cancer Relief Network Trust Fund provides relief money to firefighters diagnosed with cancer. Firefighters must participate in a qualifying firefighter cancer relief network. The law does not state payment amounts or how often payments are made.

Emergency account supports eligible clients' care

Human Services can maintain a revolving account for immediate care, short-term services, or emergency services for eligible clients. Its daily balance cannot exceed $10,000. That limit applies to the account, not an individual client's benefit. The provision does not state client eligibility criteria or service amounts.

Health education and screening for Arkansans

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences establishes public-health education, research, and statewide health education for older residents. A Helena center serves Crittenden, Phillips, Lee, St. Francis, Chicot, Monroe, and Desha Counties. The Minority Health Commission runs screening and treatment services for disorders that disproportionately affect minority groups. Its screening or access to screening is open to any Arkansas citizen, regardless of race or ethnicity. Programs must use strategic plans, measurable goals, and performance reviews; older-resident programs reflect local needs with local healthcare professionals' input.

Medical cost support for needy patients

The Indigent Patient's Fund helps cover hospital and medical-service costs for needy Arkansas patients. It can also support other uses authorized or funded by law. The law does not set an individual payment amount or formula.

Loans help fund historic preservation projects

The law creates a revolving fund for loans to borrowers who qualify under the Historic Preservation Loan Act. Private and federal money, designated real estate transfer taxes, and loan repayments support the fund. This provision does not set loan amounts, interest rates, or repayment periods.

Career school funds support student protection

A dedicated revenue fund pays for state oversight of private career education. The Private Career School Student Protection Trust Fund pays qualifying student claims and related expenses. A fee set by the Division of Higher Education, in consultation with the State Board of Private Career Education, supports the protection fund. This provision does not state the fee amount, who pays it, or a claim payment formula.

College sports teams get travel support

State-supported colleges may pay travel costs for students and employees traveling together as a competitive sports team. Students must be accompanied by instructors who direct team strategy. Covered costs include meals, lodging, transportation, and reasonable entertainment. Laundry, tips, and other personal costs must come only from auxiliary funds. Payments must follow applicable national or state sports association rules.

Public colleges can cover employee moving costs

Arkansas state-supported colleges and universities can use maintenance and general operating appropriations to pay employees' moving costs. New hires are included. Payment is optional, and the law sets no payment amount.

Scholarship funding for technical institute students

The law allocates up to $2 million in additional Academic Challenge Scholarship funds for technical or vocational-technical institute students. The Division of Higher Education must account for the money's distribution. The law does not set each student's award or the number of recipients.

State funds pay employee court awards

The law sets how Arkansas pays employee wage awards under the listed federal civil-rights laws. It applies when an employee or authorized agent sues the state and wins additional wages or salary for work performed. Awards come from the employee's usual salary appropriation. If that appropriation would be impaired, the Chief Fiscal Officer must transfer needed spending authority from the employing agency's operating appropriation. Court-awarded liquidated damages are paid the same way; the law creates no new right to an award.

State loans keep financial aid flowing

The state fiscal officer can use Budget Stabilization Trust Fund loans to pay approved financial aid on time. Loans cannot exceed funds attributable to aid programs under current official revenue estimates. After an unexpected revenue shortfall, loans still outstanding at fiscal year-end must be repaid from the next year's first two months of distributed revenue. These are state financing loans, not new student debt or changes to aid eligibility.

Trust fund supports individual development accounts

The Division of Workforce Services holds Transitional Employment Assistance money in the Individual Development Account Trust Fund. The money supports the individual development account program under its governing law. This provision does not state participant eligibility details or account amounts.

Tax-exempt bond interest protected for investors

Arkansas promises covered registered bond owners not to amend or repeal the relevant law when that could impair interest's income-tax exemption. This protects the stated tax treatment of interest on those obligations. The provision does not set a new tax rate or individual savings amount.

Arkansas wineries get local produce grants

Eligible Arkansas wineries can receive grants for grapes, fruits, berries, or vegetables used to make wine in Arkansas. The produce must be grown and purchased in Arkansas. The Agricultural Marketing Grants Fund provides the grants. This provision does not state grant amounts.

Business filing support and fee refunds

A fund receives specified processing fees and other authorized revenues to support the state's electronic business filing system. The Secretary of State may also use it to refund or reimburse annual franchise tax processing fees. The provision states no refund amount or automatic refund entitlement.

College staff gain business incubator access

Faculty and staff at Arkansas state-supported colleges are exempt from the procurement ethics chapter when participating in Arkansas business incubators. The Transformation and Shared Services Secretary must establish program rules for them and companies they partly own. Rules may address disclosures, ownership, income, annual legislative reports, student participation, and other reasonable requirements. The law states no financial award.

Soybean refund money gets dedicated protection

The Soybean Board Escrow Account Trust Fund holds money needed for soybean-related refunds. Refund amounts and timing follow U.S. Secretary of Agriculture requirements or state law and Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board decisions. This provision does not set an individual refund amount.

Support for minority- and women-owned businesses

A revolving fund supports growth of minority- and women-owned Arkansas businesses and helps them compete for state contracts. It uses specified unused Small Business Loan Fund Account balances remaining as of June 30, 2009. It can also receive other legally authorized funds. The law does not state the amount or type of help each business receives.

Alternative fuel tax refunds for carriers

The Interstate Alternative Fuels Refund Fund pays legally authorized refunds to licensed interstate users and licensed International Fuel Tax Agreement carriers. Funding amounts are estimated quarterly and transferred monthly from gross alternative-fuel tax collections. The provision does not state a refund rate or recipient amount.

Children’s trust receives dedicated state funding

The law creates the Children’s Trust Fund for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. It receives specified special revenue and contributions from governments, individuals, and other entities. Outside contributions must not create obligations for Arkansas. The provision does not name specific services or household payment amounts.

County grants fund voting system equipment

The Secretary of State provides county grants for voting equipment, programming, and upkeep through a dedicated fund. Specified Uniform Commercial Code fees finance the fund, which can also refund or reimburse program fees. Counties receiving grants must establish a voting system grant fund in their treasurer’s records. Grant amounts are not stated.

Court revenues support trial court administration

The State Administration of Justice Fund receives specified court costs, filing fees, real-estate transfer taxes, district-court installment fees, and interest. It pays for trial court administrators, substitute administrators, and legally required revenue distributions. This provision does not change household court fees or court rights.

Dedicated account supports public library aid

The law designates the State Library Public School Fund Account for state aid to public libraries. The Arkansas State Library administers that aid. The provision does not set a funding amount or a specific benefit for library users.

Dedicated fund supports Ouachita River projects

The Ouachita River Waterways Project Trust Fund receives legislatively approved money and investment interest. It supports authorized projects along the river, including wildlife, recreation, and bank stabilization. The provision states no funding amount or project schedule.

Dedicated fund supports petroleum tank payments

The law creates the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund, managed by the Division of Environmental Quality director. Sources include environmental assurance fees, other program fees, gifts, grants, legislative money, specified reserve excess, and recovered penalties or costs. Payments must be authorized by the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund Act. The provision does not state new fee rates, total funding, or household assistance amounts.

Dedicated fund supports specialty court programs

The Accountability Court Fund supports adult and juvenile specialty court programs through the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Arkansas Judicial Council develops the allocation formula. The Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee reviews it, and the Legislative Council approves it. No total funding or participant support amount is stated.

Dedicated fund supports waste and recycling

The law creates the Solid Waste Management and Recycling Fund for programs run by the Division of Environmental Quality. Sources include specified special revenue, reimbursements, federal money, interest, gifts, donations, and legislative funds. The division administers it under the Solid Waste Management and Recycling Fund Act. No total funding amount or direct household payment is stated.

Dedicated funding for domestic violence services

The Domestic Peace Fund receives designated collections, private grants, and other designated money. The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission uses it for work under the Arkansas Domestic Peace Act. The law sets no funding amount or direct payment to households.

Dedicated funding for interpreter licensing

The Interpreters Fund receives designated collections and other authorized revenues. The Department of Health uses it for the interpreter advisory board and qualified-interpreter licensing costs. The law states no funding amount or direct payment to interpreters or people using their services.

Dedicated funding for wildlife recreation

Two funds support development and upkeep of wildlife recreation facilities and wildlife observation trails. They receive authorized revenues, appropriations, and gifts or grants. The Rural Services Division sets criteria for facilities; the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism sets criteria for trails. The law states no funding amounts.

Dedicated funding supports alternative sewage systems

The Individual Sewage Disposal Systems Improvement Fund receives its allocated share of specified state revenues. The health department uses it to support alternative and experimental individual sewage systems. Spending must follow recommendations from the Individual Sewage Disposal Systems Advisory Committee. The provision states no household payment, eligibility process, or funding amount.

Dedicated funding supports correctional custody operations

The state reimburses counties for housing people in specified state correctional custody categories. These include qualifying community correction cases, prerelease placements, and sanctions for violating supervision conditions. A youth services fund uses Development and Enhancement Fund transfers and other authorized money for facility work, equipment, and operating costs. Separate funds support correctional farms and prison industries; any determined farm surplus goes to inmate care and custody. No reimbursement rates or funding totals are stated.

Dedicated funding supports nuclear emergency planning

The Arkansas Nuclear Planning and Response Fund pays for operating and maintaining the state’s nuclear planning and response program. The provision does not state how much money the fund receives.

Dedicated funding supports state disability commission

A special revenue fund supports activities of the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities. It receives designated state revenues. The provision states no funding amount, particular household service, or direct payment.

Dedicated funds support abuse victim programs

A fund for the Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission receives specified fines, grants, donations, and other authorized money. The commission uses it as directed by its governing law. The Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund receives specified fees, criminal fines, and other authorized revenues. These provisions state no funding totals or household awards; the trafficking provision does not describe uses or eligibility.

Dedicated funds support boating safety sanitation

The Boating Safety Account Fund receives designated revenues and distributes them among funds as state law directs. The Marine Sanitation Fund receives specified revenues, including 24% of one listed special-revenue stream. It also receives unspent program fees and fines remaining in the Public Health Fund on June 30, 2003. The Department of Health uses marine sanitation money under the governing program law; no funding totals are stated.

Dedicated funds support mine land cleanup

The law creates separate funds for mining land reclamation, quarry safe closure, and abandoned mine cleanup. The Land Reclamation Fund uses specified penalties, fees, forfeitures, gifts, grants, and other funds for land reclamation and required quarry contracts. The Mining Reclamation Trust Fund uses surface coal mining forfeitures and interest only for land covered by forfeited performance bonds. The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund uses federal Interior Department grants for Arkansas’s abandoned mine program. No funding totals are stated.

Dedicated funds support police investigative systems

The State Police Fund supports operations using specified state revenues, justice-fund transfers, financing-act revenues, and federal reimbursements for eligible expenditures. Separate funds use designated revenues to administer the convicted-offender DNA database and sex offender registration laws. Regional crime lab money is limited to equipment, construction, staff, and operating costs. A police equipment fund receives 50% of two listed revenue streams and 38% of specified fees for fingerprint systems, noncriminal background checks, and other authorized expenses. Unspent equipment-fund money carries forward each year; the provisions state no total funding.

Dedicated funds support state crime programs

The Court Awards Fund uses state and federal asset forfeitures for State Police expenses allowed by law. A separate forfeiture fund supports purposes of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The Drug Director sets its rules, and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council distributes its money. The Crime Information System Fund receives 38% of fees under § 12-12-1510(c) and 50% under § 12-12-1012. It also receives the first $150,000 annually under § 8-6-607 solely for the scrap metal logbook, excluding specified disposal fees.

Dedicated funds support waste cleanup oversight

Forfeited solid waste performance bonds fund only cleanup work, including closure of sites covered by those bonds. A separate fund supports hazardous waste enforcement and the environmental site assessment consultant law. Storage tank oversight receives designated revenues, federal money, and state matching money approved by the General Assembly. No total funding amounts are stated.

Dedicated money for feral hog removal

The law establishes the Feral Hog Eradication Fund. The Department of Agriculture uses it to pay expenses tied to eliminating feral hogs. The fund receives designated fines and other authorized revenues. No funding total or direct household payment is stated.

Dedicated money supports parks and heritage

After required deductions, monthly conservation tax balances go 45% to game protection and 45% to parks, heritage, and tourism. The remaining shares are 9% for the heritage special account and 1% for Keep Arkansas Beautiful; spending requires legislative appropriation. Outdoor recreation grants receive 10% of a specified special-revenue stream and must follow the statewide outdoor recreation plan. Arkansas Heritage can establish a revolving fund for matching money received from eligible Arkansas Great Places organizations. It can also accept gifts, grants, inheritances, and donations for that program.

Dedicated revenue supports lands and parks

The law directs 80% of a specified special-revenue source to state land acquisition, management, stewardship, and related authorized purposes. Another 10% of that source supports historic preservation and Main Street Arkansas. A separate State Parks Trust Fund receives taxes on diamond mining. With appropriations available, the parks commission must spend at least 90% of available money each year on existing park infrastructure. These provisions do not state total funding amounts.

Ethics guidance and employee conflict waivers

Employees and contractors can request written ethics guidance about a planned transaction from the transformation and shared services secretary. After consulting the Attorney General, the secretary can issue an opinion; following its requirements counts as compliance. Employees can also request a written conflict-of-interest waiver with specified terms. The secretary can grant it when state interests require it or the conflict is minor or remote.

Expanded funding uses for tobacco enforcement

The law ties expanded tobacco-control funding to the contingency in Section 17 of Arkansas Act 629 of 2023. When that contingency is met, permit and license fees from both listed tobacco laws go to the tobacco-control revenue fund. The fund can support agency operations, merchant education, training, and enforcement under those laws and other listed tobacco laws. Otherwise, deposits and spending remain tied to the Tobacco Products Tax Act.

Fund supports state environmental management work

The Performance Partnership Trust Fund helps the Division of Environmental Quality develop and run an environmental management organization. The organization follows the National Environmental Performance Partnership System. Funding comes from Landfill Post-Closure Trust Fund transfers and other money allowed by law. The provision states no funding amount or direct household benefit.

Funding divided between legal aid groups

The Public Legal Aid Fund supports two legal aid groups. Legal Aid of Arkansas receives 45%, and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services receives 55%. The law sets no total funding amount or new rules for who qualifies for help.

Funding for children's court advocates

The Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocates Program Fund supports local program offices serving children involved in court proceedings. It receives revenues authorized by law. The law states no funding amount or direct payment to families.

Funding to maintain Arkansas wireless towers

The law establishes a fund to maintain, repair, and replace the Arkansas Wireless Information Network and its towers. It also pays related contracting costs. Money can come from bond revenues, driver's license fees, general revenues, and other authorized sources. No total funding amount is stated.

Funding to plug unsafe oil wells

The law establishes a fund for plugging oil and gas wells when operators fail to meet their duties. The Oil and Gas Commission uses it to address imminent safety threats, serious environmental harm, or property damage. Money comes from designated revenues, well-related proceeds, grants, and gifts. No total funding amount is stated.

Funding trains officers and emergency operators

The Law Enforcement Training Fund supports training for officers, jailers, and 911 operators. The state training commission can also approve other people for training. The fund receives designated revenues and other authorized money, with no funding total stated.

Governor can authorize emergency response spending

The Governor can declare emergencies and authorize immediate spending for floods, storms, riots, sabotage, famine, insurrection, or other public calamities. The emergency must threaten public peace, health, or safety. Other requests to use the appropriation require prior emergency-fund committee review. Declarations and approved requests must identify the emergency, location, responsible agency, and amount needed. Benefiting agency funds can reimburse spending; emergencies without a specific agency beneficiary use the state's designated revolving fund.

Grants support domestic violence shelter services

The law establishes a fund for statewide domestic violence services. Grants go to a statewide domestic violence organization under the Arkansas Domestic Violence Shelter Act. The fund receives designated revenues, private grants, and other authorized money. It does not set grant amounts or provide direct household payments.

Help funding veterans' military funeral honors

The Military Funeral Honors Fund receives designated collections and other authorized revenues. The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs uses it to help pay for military honors at veterans' funerals. The law sets no payment amount or direct household entitlement.

House election challenges gain evidence tools

In challenges to Arkansas House elections, the Claims Commission can subpoena election officers, ballots, and other election records. It can ask a court to enforce its subpoenas or orders.

Program funds support children and families

The Cities in School Fund supports community-based pilot programs addressing problems affecting children and families. The Department of Human Services uses the One Percent to Prevent Fund only to help prevent children of prisoners from becoming prisoners. Neither provision states funding amounts, a family application process, or direct family payments.

Public contract records and kickback recovery

Procurement records are public under Arkansas's freedom-of-information law, subject to procurement-law and ethics exceptions. The state can recover value transferred or received through procurement ethics violations from employees and nonemployees involved. Subcontract kickbacks are conclusively treated as part of the contract price paid by the state. The state can recover that amount from both the recipient and the subcontractor that paid it.

Public contractors must return and destroy data

When a public contract ends, the data company must return data in the contract's specified format. Without a specified format, it must return usable data within 60 days. A separate agreement can specify what data it may keep, for how long, and for what uses. Remaining data must be securely destroyed within six months, including recoverable backups and copies. The company must certify its destruction methods, and the public entity must acknowledge destruction with written approval.

Restricted fund supports closed landfill cleanup

The law creates the Landfill Post-Closure Trust Fund for administration and corrective work after landfill closure. It receives specified special revenue, federal funds, interest, gifts, and donations. The Division of Environmental Quality uses the money for these purposes. The law bars appropriating the money for another purpose.

Revenue transfers support fire protection grants

The law sends 50% of qualifying quarterly collections above the same quarter's prior-year amount to the Fire Services Fund. That process begins with the quarter after July 1, 2023. Beginning January 1, 2024, qualifying amounts unclaimed for more than the two immediately prior calendar years move to a cash fund. The Fire Protection Services Board must use that money only for fire protection grants. Total funding amounts are not stated.

Revolving fund covers Guard training costs

The Military Support Revolving Fund covers periodic, short-term personnel support for National Guard members on state active duty for training. Covered costs include supplies, food, fuel, and related expenses. Federal reimbursements replenish the fund, and the department can return money to the Special Military Fund as needed. The provision sets no payment for individual Guard members.

State fund helps struggling sewage facilities

The Division of Environmental Quality can use trust money to hire contractors to fix, close, or operate nonmunicipal sewage facilities. Its director must find that the owner or operator has inadequately operated, maintained, or closed the facility. The fund also supports facility reimbursements, technical help, and reasonable administration costs. No funding amount is stated.

State fund supports abandoned farm chemicals

The State Plant Board uses a dedicated fund to plan and carry out disposal of abandoned agricultural pesticides and plant regulators. Covered chemicals are no longer used and have no planned use. Money comes from the Remedial Action Trust Fund and other sources allowed by law. No funding amount or disposal date is stated.

State fund supports natural resource restoration

The Natural Resources Damages Trust Fund receives restoration or acquisition payments, gifts, donations, federal money, interest, and appropriations. It supports restoring, rehabilitating, replacing, or acquiring natural resources. Spending requires Natural Resources Damages Advisory Board approval and an order from a court with jurisdiction. Conditions attached to gifts or donations also apply. No funding amount or project date is stated.

State funding supports declared disaster response

The law authorizes legally permitted transfers from the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund to the transportation fund. Disaster transfers cover Arkansas's proportionate share of a declared emergency or major disaster under the federal Disaster Relief Act of 1974. These transfers cannot exceed $1 million in any fiscal year. The law does not promise payments to individual households.

State funds cover county court costs

A state fund pays and reimburses trial court administrators and substitute administrators. It receives justice-fund transfers and the first $100,000 collected annually from prosecuting-attorney office filing fees. Another fund reimburses counties for part of daily compensation costs for jurors and prospective jurors. The provisions state neither administrator payment amounts nor the county reimbursement share.

State funds support electronics recycling markets

The environmental agency can fund research and grants on collecting, moving, and processing scrap electronics. It can also support statewide contracts for recycling, donation, dismantling, or disposal of electronic equipment. A separate fund pays for the Compliance Advisory Panel’s Marketing Recyclables Program duties. No funding amounts or direct household payments are stated.

State grants for drug crime investigations

A dedicated fund supports state grants to drug crime task forces working across jurisdictions. The Department of Finance and Administration uses the money for investigation and prosecution of drug crimes in Arkansas. The fund receives designated revenues and money authorized by lawmakers, but no grant amount is stated.

State loans support work release centers

The Community Correction Revolving Fund can borrow from the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund to establish new work release centers. The centers are for the Arkansas Division of Correction. Each loan must be repaid by the end of the fiscal year it is made. No loan amount is stated.

Tax revenue supports parks and heritage

The law creates separate fund accounts for Arkansas heritage programs and state park purposes. Each receives its designated share of the 0.125% excise tax under Amendment 75, plus other allowed money. The General Assembly must approve spending from these accounts. These provisions do not state spending amounts.

Training funds for coroners and sheriffs

A dedicated fund pays for training seminars and educational projects benefiting Arkansas county coroners. A separate fund supports the Arkansas Sheriffs' Association's official duties, including office administration studies and education programs. The sheriffs' fund can be used only for those official duties. Neither fund has a stated funding amount.

Cigarette fees fund fire prevention programs

The Cigarette Fire Safety Standard Fund receives cigarette certification fees, specified civil penalties, and other authorized money. The Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control uses it for fire safety and prevention programs. No total funding amount is stated.

Dedicated fees support milk safety inspections

The Milk Inspection Fees Fund pays only for maintaining, operating, and improving inspections of Grade A milk and milk products. The law states no total funding amount or direct household payment.

Dedicated funding for commercial truck safety

The Commercial Truck Safety and Education Fund supports enforcement, compliance, training, and education through public-private programs. Starting October 1, 2013, it receives the first $2 million of a designated fee for the year ending June 30, 2014. Beginning July 1, 2014, it receives the first $2 million of that fee each fiscal year.

Dedicated funding for lead paint safety

The Lead-Based Paint-Hazard Fund supports the Department of Health’s lead paint program. It includes money remaining on July 1, 2011, recoveries under the state lead paint law, and gifts or donations. The provision sets no new funding amount or household payment.

Dedicated funding supports optician licensing enforcement

The state optician board's fund supports administration, coordination, and enforcement of the Ophthalmic Dispensing Act. The provision states no funding amount and does not directly change household service costs or access.

Dedicated funding supports pipeline safety oversight

The Utility Safety Fund supports the Office of Pipeline Safety’s maintenance, operations, and improvements. The office uses it to carry out its legal duties. The provision sets no funding amount or direct household payment.

Funding fights consumer deception and spyware

A special revenue fund supports investigations and prosecutions of deceptive acts against older people and people with disabilities. It also funds education for those groups and the public about deceptive trade practices and related laws. The Spyware Monitoring Fund pays the Attorney General's salary and administrative expenses directly tied to spyware consumer protection enforcement. It also pays for the website required by that law. Neither fund creates direct household payments.

Funding supports asbestos removal contractor oversight

The Asbestos Control Fund receives specified revenues and other money authorized by law. The Division of Environmental Quality uses it to administer and enforce contractor licensing for removal of friable asbestos from facilities. Friable asbestos is material that can crumble easily. No funding total or household payment is stated.

Funding supports prepaid funeral benefit oversight

The State Insurance Department Prepaid Trust Fund supports operations and improvements of the division overseeing prepaid funeral benefits. It receives investment income, grants, refunds, gifts, and license fees under the prepaid funeral law. The provision does not change contract-holder eligibility or set a household payment.

Funds support fire and heating inspections

A dedicated fund supports the Fire Protection Licensing Board’s operations and improvements. It includes examination and renewal fees without changing their stated amounts. A separate fund uses designated revenues for the Department of Health’s heating, cooling, and refrigeration licensing and inspection program. No total funding amounts or household payments are stated.

Public data protected from unauthorized reuse

Data stored by a company for an Arkansas public entity belongs to that public entity. The company cannot sell, disclose, or reuse it for another purpose without the entity's express permission. This covers state entities, local governments, and public schools. Data that is open or released into the public domain is exempt.

Aging agency funding reflects seniors' needs

The Treasurer credits certified amounts to the Area Agencies on Aging Fund. The state distributes the money among Arkansas's eight area agencies using a needs-based formula. It considers where older residents live and their economic and social needs, especially low-income minority older people. The provision sets no individual benefit amount or eligibility rule.

Cancer center matching period has ended

The law retains a past dollar-for-dollar state match for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences cancer research center. It supported construction and endowments using qualifying grants and donations received January 1, 2007, through June 30, 2009. Gifts could include cash, cash equivalents, or property pledges backed by binding written agreements. Release required documentation signed by the university's medical sciences Chancellor showing the match was met. The matching period ended June 30, 2009; it is not a current matching offer.

Child care programs gain dedicated funding

The Child Care Grant Fund Account supports the state program with general revenue and other nonfederal money appropriated by lawmakers. Federal reimbursements received by the Department of Education go into separate funds. Another fund uses specified revenues and Human Services money for child care facility improvements, staff training, and required criminal-record checks. Those facility grants do not go directly to families. The law sets no grant amounts or new household eligibility rules.

Dedicated fund supports organ donation education

The organ donation awareness fund pays for public information, educational materials, and related costs about organ donation. It receives donations, collections, interest, carried-forward balances, and other gifts. Spending must relate to organ donation education and awareness. No total funding or individual payment amount is stated.

Dedicated funding supports drug prevention work

The Health Department uses the Drug Prevention and Intervention Program Fund for drug prevention and intervention activities. The fund receives revenues authorized by law. The provision states no total funding, individual service amount, or household eligibility rule.

Dedicated funding supports health records exchange

A dedicated fund pays operating expenses for Arkansas’s health information technology office and the State Health Alliance for Records Exchange. It receives money collected under the governing law and other specified sources. The provision states no funding amount and does not change health coverage eligibility or household payments.

Dedicated funds support infant health services

A dedicated fund supports the newborn umbilical cord blood initiative through an income-tax check-off, grants, donations, and other authorized money. A separate fund pays Arkansas Breast Milk Bank expenses and receives authorized fees, designated federal grants, gifts, and other revenues. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences administers the breast milk bank fund. These funding provisions state no family eligibility rules, service amounts, or total funding.

Dedicated revenue supports disability community programs

The Developmental Disabilities Services Dog Track Special Revenue Fund receives specified state revenues. Its money must benefit only community programs licensed by the state's Developmental Disabilities Services division. The provision sets no funding amount or direct payment to individuals.

Dedicated revenues support cancer research and control

The Breast Cancer Research Fund receives 20% of one specified special-revenue source and part of another. It also receives general revenue provided by law and must serve legally specified research purposes. A separate Breast Cancer Control Fund receives designated special and general revenues for its authorized work. The Health Department can also use that fund for cervical cancer work, but only up to lawmakers' appropriation for that purpose. Total funding and individual payments are not stated.

Food grants support meals for seniors

The In God We Trust License Plate Fund provides cash grants to each senior center every three months. Centers use the money for raw food purchases and food for home-delivered meals. Distribution follows a method similar to federal food-funding distributions to those centers. No grant amount is stated.

Funds support prevention and court treatment

County alcohol, drug abuse, and crime prevention programs receive justice-fund transfers or deposits and certain nonrefundable administrative bail bond fees. Specialty court user fees and other authorized money support treatment through Community Correction and Human Services. That fund also supports specialty court reviews and drug and mental health crisis centers. The provisions state no total funding or individual fee amounts and do not guarantee household services.

Grants support local public health buildings

The law creates a trust fund for work on the State Health Department building and approved local health unit facilities. It supports state building construction, expansion, renovation, and improvements, plus local construction, renovation, and expansion grants. Funding consists of amounts authorized by law, subject to the exception in § 20-7-203(b). No total appropriation or household payment is stated.

Rural medical providers get financing support

The Health Department can match providers' cash dollar for dollar to stabilize necessary medical services, up to $200,000 per applicant. Eligible services can come from county, local, commercial, or nonprofit operations. A separate revolving loan fund supports only construction and equipment for medical clinics in legally defined rural areas. Applicants seek those loans from the State Board of Finance. The provision sets no loan amounts, interest rates, or repayment terms.

Tobacco funding supports prevention and health

The Health Department oversees tobacco prevention and quitting programs, including youth prevention, disease prevention, and public awareness. The State Board of Health approves program parts, which must follow a plan with measurable goals. Within 30 days of receipt, 15% of Prevention and Cessation Program Account money goes to minority-community tobacco programs. The Health Secretary directs that spending with input from designated university, medical association, and LULAC representatives. When Commission fund deposits exceed specified monitoring, evaluation, and staff costs, nonprofits and community groups can receive health grants of up to $50,000 each per year.

Tobacco settlement money supports quitting programs

The Prevention and Cessation Program Account receives Tobacco Settlement Program Fund transfers and interest earnings. The Department of Health uses it for tobacco prevention and quitting programs as directed by law. The law also reserves 15% of prevention funds for a minority-community account within 30 days. This provision does not state individual eligibility or household payment amounts.

Dedicated money supports fair housing education

Money received by the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission supports public fair housing education and commission operating costs. Sources include administrative or civil penalties collected under fair housing law and other legislative funds. The provision does not change housing eligibility or create direct household payments.

Dedicated money funds county clerk training

The law creates a continuing education fund for Arkansas county and circuit clerks. Designated revenue pays for training seminars and other educational projects benefiting those clerks. No funding amount is stated.

Investing education gets a dedicated fund

The Investor Education Fund starts with a $100,000 transfer from the State Securities Department Fund and receives specified special revenues. It pays for public education about securities investing. It also supports an educational stock market game in public schools.

Agencies get legal and vendor checks

A state agency attorney must review contracts designated by the state purchasing director before they are signed. The director must set rules identifying those contracts and defining attorney qualifications. The director must also make vendor performance reports available and searchable by state agencies.

Arkansas airports and aviation receive grants

The Division of Aeronautics fund provides grants to qualifying Arkansas airports. It also supports qualifying aviation development, promotion, and education applicants, plus the division's operations and duties. Airports must qualify under law. The division director and Aeronautics Commission determine whether other applicants qualify. No grant amounts are stated.

Businesses gain project and investment funding

An economic development project fund receives bond proceeds, project revenues, and other authorized money. It can pay bond debt or directly fund large projects authorized by state law or the constitution. A separate Economic Development Commission fund supports its large economic development projects. The Quick Action Closing Fund offers investment incentives to attract or retain businesses, including alongside other state incentives. Each proposed closing-fund use needs Governor approval, followed by Legislative Council review.

Competition rules for large state purchases

State purchases over $75,000 generally require sealed bids, with notice 5 to 90 calendar days before bids open. Another method requires a written finding that sealed bidding is not practical and advantageous. Awards go to the lowest responsible bidder meeting the stated requirements, using only announced criteria. Cost must count for at least 30% of proposal scores unless the procurement director gives written approval after legislative review. Missing required approval allows a protest, and purchasing specifications must allow as much competition as practical.

Construction contractors get late-payment protection

Proper, uncontested payment requests for completed state construction work receive processing deadlines. The design professional, covered agency or institution, and finance department each have up to five working days, excluding transmission time. A reviewer contesting a request must notify the contractor and explain why within that reviewer's processing period. Parties responsible for late processing owe an 8% annual penalty on the request amount.

Contractors get a claim decision deadline

After a contractor requests a final claim decision in writing, the state has 120 days to issue it. Both sides can agree to a longer period. If the deadline passes without a decision, the contractor can proceed as though the claim was denied.

Counties receive road financing and grants

A revolving road fund advances money to county highway, state-aid, federal-aid secondary road, and related assistance accounts. The Chief Fiscal Officer manages this assistance under state road laws. Stabilization-fund transfers cannot exceed the limit set in the governing road statute. A separate Agriculture Department fund awards county grants under the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program. Unspent grant-fund money carries into the next fiscal year for the same purpose; award amounts are not stated.

Dedicated funding supports Arkansas film promotion

The Digital Product and Motion Picture Office Fund provides added support for the Arkansas Film Commission's work. The finance department administers the fund under its rules and consults with the commission. The provision does not state a funding amount.

Dedicated funds support livestock disease control

The law creates dedicated funds for cattle and swine disease control. One fund pays all or part of the cattle disease control and eradication program. Another supports control and eradication of pseudorabies in swine. The provisions do not state funding amounts or direct payments to farmers.

Federal land money supports local budgets

Beginning September 1, 2008, half of the covered federal land receipts goes to state general revenue and half to source counties. Counties send 60% of their share through the County Aid Fund to eligible schools and 15% to county roads. When multiple school districts qualify, they divide the school share by acreage. The remaining 25% goes to the county and local taxing units based on their property-tax shares. Schools and road funds receiving the 60% or 15% allocation cannot also share in the final 25%.

Federal land money supports schools and roads

Arkansas's Treasurer receives 5% of qualifying net proceeds from federal public-land sales in the state. Qualifying public-domain land-sale and Taylor Grazing Act funds go to the county where the property lies. County shares send 80% to school districts and 20% to county roads. School shares follow the territory leased or sold; if that information is unavailable, acreage or another fair basis may be used.

Federal land receipts fund schools and roads

Counties divide qualifying federal flood-control land lease receipts: 80% goes to schools and 20% to county roads. Schools share the 80% based on each district's flood-control acreage. Federal forest-reserve receipts are allocated up to $50,000, or the amount received if less: 75% for schools and 25% for roads in source counties. Federal military-installation timber receipts go to the counties containing the land, with 75% for schools and 25% for roads. The timber school share follows sales within each district, or a fair allocation when sales data is unavailable.

Firefighter panel can recover unpaid expenses

The Claims Commission director handles appropriated money for Arkansas Firefighter Benefit Review Panel expense reimbursements. The commission can pay unpaid meeting expenses from earlier state fiscal years. The panel chair must certify those expenses in writing. Payments must use appropriated reimbursement funds, and the law states no payment amount.

Funding covers retirement community program administration

The law creates a fund account for administering the Arkansas Retirement Community Program. The Arkansas Economic Development Institute uses it to pay the administering association's personnel, administrative, and related program costs. This is administrative funding, not a retirement payment to households. No funding amount is stated.

Funds support Arkansas farm industry promotion

The law creates dedicated funds for beef, catfish, corn and grain sorghum, wheat, and rice industry work. Beef and catfish funds support promotion, research, office costs, and member expenses. The corn and grain sorghum fund supports research, outreach, and administration. Wheat and rice funds pay for their boards' operations. These provisions do not state total funding amounts.

Funds support Arkansas research and cybersecurity

The law creates separate funds for research infrastructure and Arkansas cyber initiatives. Both can receive legislative funding, gifts, grants, contributions, and bequests. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission uses them for purposes allowed by the Research Alliance and Cyber Initiative laws, respectively. No funding totals are stated.

Funds support waste projects and bonds

The law creates construction, upkeep, bond payment, and reserve funds for covered waste and pollution-control projects. They operate under the Arkansas Waste Disposal and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 1987. Construction money pays project development and bond-issuing costs, using bond proceeds and allocated project revenue. Upkeep uses bond proceeds and project revenue. Payment and reserve funds also accept general revenue and legislative funds, supporting payments at maturity or early redemption.

Funds support water projects and bonds

The law creates separate funds for water project construction, upkeep, bond payments, and payment reserves. They cover projects and bonds under the Arkansas Water Resources Development Act of 1981. Construction uses Natural Resources Commission bond proceeds and requires legislative approval of spending. Upkeep uses bond proceeds and project revenue. Bond payment and reserve funds can also receive general revenue and other legislative funds.

Health department fees fund computer upgrades

Specified portions of collected fees go to the Department of Health Technology Fund. The department can use this money only for computer hardware, software, scanned-data conversion, and related work. The provision does not state a total funding amount.

Horse disease services receive dedicated funding

A dedicated livestock and poultry fund helps pay for services under the Equine Infectious Anemia Control and Eradication Program. The provision states no funding amount or direct payment to horse owners.

Loans support sustainable state building design

A revolving fund lends money to state agencies for the Sustainable Building Design Program. Each loan needs legal authorization and approval from the Chief Fiscal Officer. The law states no loan amounts or repayment terms and provides no direct household assistance.

Local governments get advance rule cost estimates

Covered state authorities must file realistic local cost estimates with the Secretary of State at least 30 days before adoption. This covers rules, policies, orders, and administrative laws affecting city or county budgets. An affected city or county must receive a copy immediately upon request. The General Assembly, courts, and Governor are exempt.

Marijuana revenue funds state program operations

The law creates an operations fund using medical marijuana taxes under Amendment 98 and other allowed revenue. It pays state agency costs arising from that amendment and makes the amendment's required distributions. A separate Medical Marijuana Commission Fund pays for commission administration and other purposes allowed by Amendment 98. These provisions do not state funding totals or change patient eligibility.

Public agencies can use digital check records

Banks can provide canceled-check images when the public entity agrees and Arkansas Legislative Audit approves samples in writing. Images must clearly show both sides and meet applicable recordkeeping, software, verification, and authentication standards. Online documents must remain available through read-only internet access for at least five years.

Public agencies retain property and service proceeds

The procurement director must set rules returning surplus-property proceeds to the agency that used or held the property, when practical. This covers sales, leases, and disposal of surplus goods. Payments for services supplied to another public purchasing unit or outside purchasing activity are available to the unit providing them.

Public entities gain shared purchasing options

Public entities can join cooperative purchases for school construction, goods, or services when savings or material value are possible. Eligible nonprofits include specified rural fire and drinking-water providers and certain disability or transportation providers with annual Human Services contracts over $75,000. State agency agreements require economic review, and Office of State Procurement participation requires the Governor's approval. Public purchasing units can also agree to buy, sell, or share goods and services, bypassing specified purchasing requirements while following applicable rules. They can share or lease warehouses, equipment, and facilities on agreed terms. Cooperative purchases satisfy state requirements when the administrator complies, or the director confirms in writing that an outside system and its remedies substantially meet them.

Public farm programs gain financing options

Correctional and other state institutions, plus counties, can join available government loan programs for cotton or other products they grow. An institution superintendent or county judge can sign the needed papers. The Livestock and Poultry Commission director can move special-revenue money into the commission's fund account with Chief Fiscal Officer approval. These powers support public programs, not direct loans or payments to individual farmers.

Revenue funds commercial driver licensing systems

The law directs separate revenue streams to commercial driver licensing and improvements to the Arkansas Motor Carrier System. The money also supports related Revenue Division duties required by the finance department secretary. The provision does not state funding amounts or change driver eligibility.

Revenue supports local police and fire pensions

The law creates a fund that sends designated revenue to qualified local police and fire pension funds. Eligible funds serve cities, towns, or fire protection districts under the referenced pension law. This provision does not specify each fund's payment or change individual pension benefits.

State agencies favor efficient indoor lighting

Agencies must prefer high-efficiency indoor lamps when technically practical and competitively priced, considering long-term costs and savings. The goal is for 100% of purchased indoor lamps to be high-efficiency. The Office of State Procurement must report progress annually to the Legislative Council.

State avoids workers' compensation insurance fees

Arkansas is treated as a self-insurer under the state workers' compensation provisions. The state is exempt from fees and taxes imposed on self-insurers under those provisions. This exemption benefits the state rather than providing a direct household payment.

State bidders gain flexible experience rules

State bidders can meet experience requirements through their own experience or combined experience of owners, senior executives, or key contract staff. Rejecting key staff experience requires a written explanation before the solicitation is issued. Procurement conferences can be held in person or online. Attendance can be required for a bid, proposal, or qualifications submission only when the solicitation says so and the procurement director or agency procurement head approves.

State building funds cover property needs

A public building fund holds remaining certificate-of-indebtedness proceeds. It can only redeem the 1977 and 1979 bonds and construct buildings authorized by the Public Facilities Finance Act of 1983. A separate Building Authority real estate fund covers buying, leasing, operating, maintaining, repairing, renovating, and building state-agency property. It also covers demolition and site improvements. Covered property must serve a legally defined state agency and fall under the Building Authority Division.

State building projects gain delivery choices

State agencies with available funds can use employees, contractors, or both for building projects and can hire architects. This authority does not cover cities, towns, counties, or school districts. State agencies cannot require construction bidders or suppliers to join, be certified by, or receive endorsement from industry associations. Agencies can still reference those groups' standards in project plans and specifications.

State funds vehicle oversight and verification

The insurance trust fund transfers $1.5 million yearly to central services by June 30. This pays for the Revenue Division's online insurance verification system and related costs. A separate Motor Vehicle Commission fund supports operations, upkeep, improvements, and required vehicle education and training. These funds do not provide direct household payments.

State mapping projects receive screened funding

The Geographic Information Systems Fund supports the state mapping board, GeoStor, and shared geographic data. The State Geographic Information Officer ranks and approves projects with board advice and under board standards. Each proposal must show at least one listed benefit, such as better services, less duplication, or economic development. Other qualifying benefits include round-the-clock online government, lower multi-agency costs, or further development of the state's geographic data system. No funding amount is stated.

State officers must document office spending

Arkansas constitutional officers can spend office operating funds only on official state business. Payment officers cannot approve expenses without required records. Expenses over $25 need a vendor receipt or invoice, the purpose, and names of people covered. Expenses of $25 or less need the purpose, amount, date, place, nature, and relevant business relationships. Original records must be kept for three years after the expense request.

State service contracts face cost oversight

Most state service contracts require legislative review at $50,000 in any contract year or $350,000 total, including amendments and possible extensions. Critical emergency procurements and stated exceptions are excluded; unchanged renewals or extensions are reported monthly instead. Contracts of at least $350,000 submitted for review need a cover sheet explaining services, procurement, and protest outcomes. Certain delegated-agency service contracts starting at $25,000 below applicable review thresholds require monthly reports; officials cannot split purchases to evade reporting. Goods and covered service contracts must disclose projected total costs, including available extensions.

State suppliers face special contract limits

Sole or mandatory supplier awards require a written finding that another product or service is not practical. Agencies must seek competing prices unless a written finding shows only one source exists. Multiple awards require written reasons why one supplier is not advantageous, and must use the fewest suppliers needed. Bid notices must disclose possible multiple awards and the selection criteria. The State Procurement Director can approve cost-plus pricing only if no other economically practical method exists, savings over the cheapest alternative are shown, or pricing follows an industry standard or reliable cost-prediction system.

Taxpayer contributions support approved road projects

The Public Roads Incentive Fund uses taxpayer contributions for the road project named by the contributor. The state economic development director must approve each project. After completion or termination, the director may apply leftover contributions to other public road projects. No funding amount is stated.

Technology vendors earn from extra collections

State agencies can hire technology vendors for revenue-generating work and pay them from extra tax or fee collections. Payment can be a percentage or fixed fee, but the increase must exceed projected revenue and result from the system. Contracts must follow procurement law and complete required agency, state department, Governor, and Legislative Council reviews and approvals before implementation. The Shared Benefit Payment Fund pays qualifying vendors based on collections above the contract baseline, subject to the required special-revenue deduction. These provisions do not change household tax or fee rates.

Tourism funds support communities and attractions

The Tourism Development Trust Fund supports only Arkansas wine tourism, using specified revenues, including 50% of one designated revenue source. Cities and counties with the required state tourist-facility agreement receive quarterly payments funded from general revenues. The State Board of Finance manages that aid, and the Treasurer pays it. A separate fund supports construction, upkeep, operation, and improvement of the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. It also covers legally authorized department costs for administering the museum.

Training helps vendors seek state contracts

The Office of State Procurement must offer statewide training on doing business with Arkansas. Training must be available in person and online or another virtual format. The office must seek feedback from vendors who have and have not won state work.

Unused hemp program money stays available

The law creates an industrial hemp program fund using program fees, gifts, grants, and other allowed money. Unallocated or uncommitted balances and investment earnings carry forward rather than expire. That money remains available only for the industrial hemp production program. The law does not specify direct payments to producers.

Video service fees fund franchise administration

The law creates the Arkansas Video Service Fund using designated collections and other allowed revenue. The Secretary of State uses it to review and issue video service franchise certificates. The fund can also refund or reimburse fees collected for that purpose. No total amount is stated.

Water and port projects receive assistance

A revolving water fund offers local governments loans or grants for their share of projects carried out with the federal government. It receives appropriations, other secured money, and loan repayments. White River navigation assistance to the Army Corps requires congressional project authorization, Arkansas cost sharing, and a legislative appropriation. A separate port fund assists public port authorities with infrastructure, engineering, and construction under the state port improvement program. No award or funding totals are stated.

Wine fees fund grants and tourism

The law creates a fund for native wine promotion, directed by the Arkansas Wine Producers Council. A separate fund splits grocery store wine permit fees equally: 50% for agricultural marketing grants and 50% for tourism. The tourism share supports a wine tourism facility and council office space in Franklin County. Fees left unused or undesignated at fiscal year-end go to the Tourism Development Trust Fund. Total fee revenue and grant amounts are not stated.

Dedicated revenues support Arkansas state highways

The law creates a transportation fund receiving designated highway and special revenues. It receives the first $18 million Arkansas gets each fiscal year under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972. Casino tax receipts deposited in general revenue above $31.2 million each fiscal year also transfer to transportation at year-end. Beginning June 30, 2020, reserve money and other Governor-designated funds provide additional year-end transfers. Those additional transfers are limited to the amount needed, together with the casino transfer, to total $35 million.

Financing for local water and waste systems

A bond fund pays for water, waste-disposal, and pollution-control projects, including bond issuance costs. Bond documents set how much project revenue enters that fund. A separate revolving fund offers low-interest loans to cities, towns, counties, and other eligible applicants for water, sewer, and waste systems. Repayments support more loans, and available money can match or supplement federal grants and loans. The law states no project amounts or loan rates.

Grants support Arkansas ports and waterways

A dedicated fund supports Waterways Commission grants to port and intermodal authorities for port, intermodal, and waterway development. Grants follow the Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program. Unspent money carries into the next state fiscal year for the same purpose. The law states no grant amounts.

Rental vehicle taxes support public transit

The Arkansas Public Transit Trust Fund receives 75% of net revenue from the specified additional rental vehicle tax. The transportation department uses it to match federal funding for transit vehicles, equipment, and facilities. It also supports operation of federal transit assistance programs. The law states no total revenue amount.

Banks get more public deposit collateral

Banks can use additional assets instead of cash to secure public deposits. These include federally insured mortgages and debentures, national mortgage association obligations, and specified housing bonds accepted at face value. Qualifying Farm Credit System obligations must have a market value at least equal to the required cash deposit. Registered bonds from other states, territories, possessions, or the District of Columbia can also qualify. Those bonds must meet other security requirements, and the public agency must have a legally secured claim to them.

Border schools can seek banking exceptions

Public money generally must be deposited in Arkansas banks. An isolated school district on the state border can request a hardship waiver from the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. Its offices must be at least 18 miles from the nearest Arkansas bank and within 6 miles of an out-of-state bank. The out-of-state bank must meet the requirements for securing public money. This does not limit household bank choices.

Cities and agencies get investment rules

City investment officers must invest prudently, prioritizing principal safety, then access to money, then returns. They must assess their overall funds against the city's written investment policy. State-supported colleges can choose deposits and investments for cash not needed for operations and must seek the highest possible return. Other state cash-fund agencies must request and follow State Board of Finance investment recommendations.

Dedicated fund pays college savings bonds

The law creates the College Savings Bond Fund to pay bonds under the Arkansas College Savings Bond Act of 1989. It receives specified bond proceeds, project revenue, general revenue, and legislative appropriations. Money can only pay some or all bond debt costs at maturity or early redemption. The provision does not state a payment amount.

Dedicated funding supports state securities oversight

A dedicated fund receives the first $2.5 million of specified special revenues for the State Securities Department. It also receives other money provided by law or regulatory action. The money supports department operations, maintenance, support, and improvements, not direct investor payments.

Dedicated money for alternative fuel incentives

The law creates a fund for Environmental Quality to provide rebates and incentives under the Arkansas Alternative Motor Fuel Development Act. Unspent money carries into the next fiscal year for the same uses. This provision does not state who qualifies, rebate amounts, or total funding.

Government bond investments gain spending safeguards

Taxable bond money and investment earnings must follow the bond documents and serve legally authorized purposes. Invested money counts toward an authorized purpose when earnings or sale proceeds pay debt or support that purpose. Leftover net investment proceeds can support another authorized public purpose only after sufficient debt-payment arrangements and required findings. Money from taxable bonds replacing older bonds can go into investments named in the replacement bond documents. That investment authority applies despite more restrictive state investment rules.

Government borrowers gain taxable bond options

Government units can issue taxable bonds for purposes allowed by the law authorizing those bonds. They can sell publicly or privately and negotiate sales they determine are in their best interest. Financing options include payment arrangements, credit and liquidity agreements, foreign agents, and investments named in the bond documents. Existing maturity limits still apply, and a foreign cotrustee requires an additional trustee meeting the authorizing law's requirements. Governments must consider the other party's creditworthiness when applicable.

Government funds cover fidelity and cyber claims

A premium-funded fidelity bond trust pays claims and Governmental Bonding Board expenses for participating governments. A separate cyber response fund receives premiums, investment income, and other receipts. Cyber fund spending is limited to participating governments' claims and Cyber Response Board expenses. The cyber fund is exempt from deductions, taxes, levies, and other assessments. Neither provision states claim payment amounts.

Guarantee fund backs community development groups

The law creates a fund for the Economic Development Commission to guarantee qualified community development entities' performance. Entities must qualify under the New Markets Jobs Act of 2013. The provision does not state the fund's size or guarantee terms.

Investment and interest rules for state money

The finance board can put state money into its certificate-of-deposit program and other listed, qualifying investments. These include federal obligations, insured deposits, repurchase agreements, and money market funds. Before each deposit term, the board sets the interest rate; statewide meeting notice must appear 5 to 15 days beforehand. The Treasurer and each bank must agree on the term or renewal term. Banks pay interest on covered deposits as directed, and net interest goes to the Securities Reserve Fund as trust income.

Local governments can pool investment money

At least 10 local governments can create an investment trust by filing an agreement with the Secretary of State. It needs at least seven eligible trustees; a majority must be participating governments' officials or employees. Trustees must be current elected officials or active or retired local-government or local-government-association employees. Participants can withdraw unconditionally with no more than 90 days' notice; investments must follow law and trust policy. Trusts need annual audits shared with participants and filed with the Secretary of State. Cities can direct listed state aid, highway, and special revenues into trust accounts by resolution identifying funds and accounts, until a termination resolution arrives.

Payment protections for public bond investors

Arkansas or the local government that issued a bond must pay it unless payment is barred by the legal deadline. The law also creates a reserve for bonds covered by the Arkansas College Savings Bond Act of 1989. Specified bond proceeds, project revenues, general revenues, and legislative appropriations fund that reserve. It can only ensure timely debt payments at maturity or early redemption.

Public bonds gain flexible administration options

Issuers can convert certain registered public obligations to another form while preserving the stated federal income-tax exemption on interest. They can appoint payment, transfer, registration, and other agents without requiring an Arkansas office. Issuers can set agent pay, duties, liability limits, and agreed damages for specified breaches. Qualified custodian banks and financial intermediaries can also serve in agent roles while acting as fiduciaries.

Public funds gain fully insured deposits

Governments and qualifying trusts can place public money through an eligible bank into other U.S. banks or savings and loan associations. Federal deposit insurance must cover 100% of each deposit's principal and accrued interest. The eligible bank must hold the deposits as custodian and keep separate records. On the deposit date, it must receive matching customer deposits from other institutions at least equal to the public money invested. Deposits meeting these requirements need no additional security.

Retirement investments gain longer agreement options

Partial equity ownership agreements using state retirement trust money not appropriated by the General Assembly are exempt from contract-duration limits. These agreements also do not need an annual renewal clause. The exemption gives retirement systems and their partners more flexibility. It does not directly change retirement benefits or household payments.

Safeguards keep state funds available

The finance board must enforce rules for records, reporting, collateral, eligible banks and brokers, investments, and cash needs. Investment firms must show investor-protection coverage for each investment and compliance with applicable federal fidelity-bond rules. The board must immediately sell securities when bank cash balances cannot meet operating needs, excluding trust funds from that calculation. When covered securities or bank losses exceed the Securities Reserve Fund balance, the Chief Fiscal Officer must transfer stabilization money. The transfer must cover the loss beyond the available reserve.

State investment options and staff safeguards

The Treasurer can buy Israeli government bonds backed by that government's full faith and credit. Private sales of certain local bonds held by the Treasury cannot bring less than their purchase cost. Investment staff must meet board-set experience standards and cannot have direct financial interests in banks or brokers handling state money. Compensation from investing their own money is excluded. Staff must file financial-interest statements by January 31 each year.

State offices get dedicated operating funds

Net general revenue sends 1% to the Constitutional Officers Fund and 2%–3% to the State Central Services Fund. The Chief Fiscal Officer sets the latter rate based on expected commitments and spending. Up to $4 million per fiscal year may move from the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund when needed and available; shortfall transfers require Legislative Council review and advice and support the lesser of prior spending or current appropriations when income falls short. After other authorized resources are used, general revenue must fully finance specified central-service appropriations. The Treasurer may also use maintenance and operating money from both service funds to resolve accounting differences, under policies approved by the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee.

Arkansas institutions join biosciences research institute

The law establishes the Arkansas Biosciences Institute for agricultural research with medical implications, bioengineering, tobacco-related research, nutrition, and related work. Participants include the University of Arkansas and its agriculture division, its medical sciences and Fayetteville campuses, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and Arkansas State University. Research supported by appropriated money must follow institutional policies. It must fit the institute's purposes or be reasonably related or complementary to them.

Dedicated funds support Medicaid and trusts

The Medicaid trust fund receives soft-drink taxes, ambulance fees, specified special revenues, certain insurance premium taxes, and provider surety-bond payments. Soft-drink-tax money must pay Arkansas's share of federal Medicaid funding. If Arkansas ends its Medicaid program, specified revenues must instead support comparable services for Arkansas residents. A separate special-needs trust fund receives individual contributions, other receipts, and interest tied to medical-assistance eligibility above federal income or resource limits. This funding provision sets no new eligibility limit or individual contribution amount.

Marijuana tax money funds food and health

Each month, the state transfers money to the Restricted Reserve Fund for food insecurity and health needs. The transfer equals certified medical-marijuana sales and special privilege taxes distributed to the General Revenue Fund Account that month. This earmarks revenue; it does not set household eligibility or promise an individual payment.

More funding options for Arkansas Medicaid

Drug-maker rebates collected under federal Medicaid rules are treated as receipts outside regular state revenue. The state can transfer these rebates from its revolving fund into accounts that pay Medicaid costs. Medicaid Expansion Program Account money can also supplement current general revenues for Medicaid, with approval from the Governor and chief fiscal officer. That use cannot reduce legislative funding for Meals on Wheels America or the senior prescription drug program. These funding rules do not change individual eligibility or benefit amounts.

Nursing board receives dedicated operating funds

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing Fund supports the board's legally assigned powers, functions, and duties. The provision states no funding amount. It does not change household health coverage or healthcare costs.

Short-term loans support tobacco prevention programs

The Prevention and Cessation Program Account can borrow from the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund. Loans cannot exceed 27.2% of estimated current-year Tobacco Settlement Program Fund receipts. The Chief Fiscal Officer sets the loan amount, excluding statutorily returned money from the estimate. Loans must be repaid from 27.2% of actual receipts before that fiscal year ends. Any remainder of that share after repayment transfers to the Prevention and Cessation Program Account.

Targeted health programs receive dedicated shares

Targeted State Needs deposits send 33% to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Public Health. The Helena Area Health Education Center and Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging each receive 22%. The Arkansas Minority Health Initiative receives 23%. Spending must serve purposes authorized or appropriated by law; these are program funds, not household payments.

Tobacco bonds can finance cancer center

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences cancer research center qualifies for additional tobacco settlement bonds. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority must issue them when debt service fund revenues can cover the required payments. Initial bond principal cannot exceed $40 million. Annual debt service fund allocations to the project cannot exceed $5 million. Those transfers cannot begin until the tobacco settlement bonds issued in 2001 are no longer outstanding.

Tobacco funds route program and oversight money

The Tobacco Settlement Program Fund receives money from the settlement cash holding fund and interest earnings. It transfers money to the program funds and accounts designated by law. Investment earnings from that fund and its program accounts, plus interest, support the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission Fund. Commission money must be used for the purposes specified in the tobacco settlement law. These provisions do not set household eligibility or payment amounts.

Backup loans support state workers' compensation

The Workers' Compensation Revolving Fund can borrow from the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund when agency contributions cannot cover awarded benefits. This borrowing supports payment of awards to state employees. Loans must be repaid by June 30 of the first fiscal year after the fiscal year in which they were made. The law states no loan amount or change in personal benefit amounts.

Charter schools get facility financing funds

The law establishes separate grant and loan funds for open-enrollment public charter schools. Grants support academic buildings and equipment, including repayment of debt for those purposes. Loans support construction, leasing, purchases, repairs, improvements, expansion, and credit support for academic facility financing. Uses follow the named state charter-school programs; the law sets no grant amounts, loan amounts, or loan terms.

College funds support maintenance and mergers

Quarterly transfers from general revenue to the Higher Education Building Maintenance Fund equal the prior quarter's receipts under the designated law. The Higher Education Coordinating Board selects projects and priorities after seeking Legislative Council advice, and the higher education commissioner disburses funds. Public colleges that merge or consolidate can receive matching support for documented savings under state law; no match rate is stated. Separate transfers from the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund support the University of Arkansas Fund based on endowment interest. Those transfers plus endowment investment interest cannot exceed $6,633.34 per fiscal year.

Dedicated funding supports public schools

The law designates accounts for authorized public school grants, aid, building work, and transportation assistance. Facilities accounts receive authorized revenues, including general revenues, development-fund transfers, and specified receipts under the 2003 tax law. Distribution of municipal and county taxes from that law's tax amnesty program stays unchanged. Available Educational Adequacy Fund money moves monthly to school and education accounts, up to the amount needed for state education obligations. If school resources fall short, proportional transfers come from specified accounts, but not the Educational Facilities Partnership Fund Account.

Dedicated funding trains nursing home staff

The law establishes the Nursing Home Personnel Training Fund using designated revenue. The Department of Human Services' Office of Long-Term Care uses it to develop and run authorized staff training programs. This provision does not state a funding amount or direct household payment.

Dedicated funds support worker training

A dedicated school-fund account supports authorized career, technical, adult basic education, and workforce training programs. Worker training also receives administrative assessment proceeds, related interest, and legislative funding, under rules set by the workforce director. Net construction permit surcharge proceeds support craft training under the Arkansas Construction Industry Craft Training Act. The Office of Skills Development and Arkansas Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee administer that craft-training funding. A separate fund lets the Division of Higher Education award grants to designated workforce initiative programs; no funding totals are stated.

Dedicated money supports children's literacy tutoring

The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education uses the Literacy Tutoring Grant Fund to maintain tutoring grants. The program operates under the Right to Read Act. Unspent money carries into the next fiscal year for the same program. This provision does not state grant amounts or student eligibility details.

Dedicated operating funds support Arkansas colleges

The law establishes separate funds for college upkeep, operations, and improvements, using authorized general revenues and other required support deposits. Funds cover University of Arkansas community colleges at Hope-Texarkana, Batesville, and Morrilton, plus Cossatot Community College. They also cover Arkansas State University campuses at Newport and Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Three Rivers, Ozarka College, and Southeast Arkansas College. National Park College's fund includes monthly transfers and June 30, 2003 balances from the former Garland County Community College Fund. No funding totals or direct student payments are stated.

Dedicated revenue supports workforce education activities

The law establishes a fund for specified workforce education activities. It receives designated revenue and other money authorized by law. Money must be used only for the authorized educational activities and distributed under the governing state law. This provision does not state funding amounts or household payments.

Fire and police pensions receive funding

The Arkansas Fire and Police Pension Guarantee Fund receives part of insurer taxes or other designated state money. The money is designated to support fire and police retirement programs. The provision sets no individual pension increase or payment formula. Its fund-use reference is identified as repealed in the source text.

License fees support automotive training grants

The Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission directs 5% of license fees to automotive education grants. Each fiscal year-end, it must add enough money to bring the fund balance to $250,000. That payment cannot leave the Commission with less than three years of average operating expenses. The fund may award program grants to eligible recipients.

Math and arts school receives funding account

The law establishes an operating and improvement fund for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. It receives allocated transfers from the Educational Excellence Trust Fund and other money authorized by law. No funding amount is stated.

Public colleges can borrow for maintenance

A revolving fund provides loans to state-supported colleges for the Sustainable Building Maintenance Program. The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board must approve the program and loans. This provision does not state loan amounts or repayment terms. These are college loans, not student loans.

Public colleges can keep unspent funding

State-supported colleges can request changes to their quarterly general-revenue allocations. Approval requires the Chief Fiscal Officer and the Division of Higher Education's advice and consent. Changes cannot exceed available yearly revenues and balances or cause undue hardship to other allocations or commitments. Unspent year-end balances carry forward to support the college in the next fiscal year.

School districts gain design-build construction options

Arkansas school districts can use design-build contracts for construction, repairs, improvements, maintenance, or demolition on district-owned property. The design-builder must hire subcontractors directly and is responsible for project bonding. Required design work must use Arkansas-licensed professionals, and construction must use qualified, licensed contractors. Projects must follow state and federal law.

State budgets include children's education accounts

Beginning in fiscal year 2024, education budget requests and the Governor's recommendation must include Children's Educational Freedom Account funding. The enrollment-based calculation uses an enrollment amount of at least 2%. When eligible application totals are available, funding uses the greater of that calculation or applications times prior-year statewide per-student foundation aid. Specified unused fund balances and unused appropriations reduce the required amount. This rule sets budget requests, not an individual award.

State colleges gain project financing funds

A higher-education fund uses bond proceeds and project revenues for projects at Arkansas state colleges and universities. It also pays project and bond-issuing costs allowed by the governing bond documents. The Research Development Fund supports the Arkansas Research Development Program's administration and operations. Research money comes from the Higher Education Building Maintenance Fund and other money provided by the legislature. No funding totals or direct student payments are specified.

Technology job programs get dedicated funding

The Arkansas Acceleration Fund supports programs aimed at growing knowledge-based and high-technology jobs in Arkansas. The economic development agency's science and technology division uses the fund for initiatives under the Arkansas Acceleration Fund Act. The law sets no funding amount or direct worker payment.

Transportation research and training receive grants

The law establishes a fund for transportation research and workforce grants distributed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. After the legally required deposit, available interest income can provide up to $500,000 each year. The fund can also receive other authorized revenues. The $500,000 cap applies to that interest source, not all fund revenue.

Unemployment contribution cap for state agencies

State agencies' experience-based contributions to the Unemployment Compensation Revolving Fund cannot exceed 3% of gross payroll. An agency whose deficit calls for a higher rate pays 3% until the deficit is repaid. Its actual experience rate then applies. This is an agency contribution rule, not a change to workers' benefit amounts.

Unemployment funds support refunds and oversight

An unemployment integrity subaccount receives covered overpayment penalties above 15% of the overpayment. Its money is limited to oversight activities the workforce director finds necessary to protect the unemployment program. A separate workforce fund receives specified interest and penalties and refunds interest or penalties paid by mistake. That fund also covers necessary administration costs for listed programs; these provisions do not change benefit eligibility or add claimant duties.

Dedicated funding supports assistance for inventors

The Inventors' Assistance Program Fund supports implementation of the state's inventor assistance law. It receives money from the Center for Prototype Development and Emerging Technologies and fees under that law. Money not directly needed for implementation must transfer to state general revenue. No individual assistance amount is guaranteed.

Grants support Arkansas alternative fuel businesses

The Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Fund receives appropriations and other legally authorized revenues. The Department of Agriculture uses it for grants to Arkansas alternative fuel producers, feedstock processors, and alternative fuel distributors. The law states no grant amounts.

Incentives support businesses opening Arkansas facilities

The Economic Development Incentive Fund uses designated revenues to support business incentive plans. Plans encourage businesses to open new facilities or expand existing facilities in Arkansas. Other uses must be authorized by the Arkansas Economic Development Incentive Act of 1993. No amount available to any business is stated.

State funds support technology business growth

The Technology Acceleration Fund provides investment incentives for technology development in Arkansas. Uses need a joint recommendation from the Economic Development Commission and Development Finance Authority, plus Governor approval. Its money can combine with other state incentives to create, attract, or retain businesses. The Innovate Arkansas Fund solely supports the commission's contract with a selected provider helping knowledge- and technology-based companies grow. Neither provision states incentive or funding amounts.

Dedicated funding for property tax relief

The law creates a special revenue fund for Arkansas property tax relief. It receives money from specified sales, use, and motor-fuel taxes. The money must serve the purposes of the state's property tax relief law. This provision does not set the relief amount or spell out who qualifies.

Fuel tax refunds for interstate users

The law creates a fund to pay motor-fuel and special motor-fuel tax refunds to eligible interstate users. Refunds follow the existing state laws governing those users. The state estimates needed funding quarterly and transfers money monthly from gross fuel-tax collections. This provision does not set a refund rate or an individual refund amount.

Conflict limits for state workers

State workers cannot handle contract matters involving known financial interests or job arrangements involving themselves, immediate family, or relevant businesses. A disclosed blind trust is exempt; possible conflicts require prompt written disqualification to the shared-services secretary and withdrawal. Procurement workers cannot also work for a party contracting with their agency. Shared-services department employees and their immediate families cannot buy state surplus goods. Current and former state workers cannot knowingly use confidential information for their own or another person's actual or expected gain.

Returned Treasury checks bring 25% penalties

If your check to the state Treasurer is returned unpaid, the Attorney General must pursue collection. The state seeks the check's full amount plus a penalty equal to 25% of that amount.

State employees must disclose contract benefits

State employees must report benefits from state contracts with businesses in which they have a financial interest. Reports go to the Secretary of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services; disclosed blind trusts are exempt. Covered employees and former employees receiving contracts or benefits under the higher-education contracting provision must also file annually. By January 31, they must report the prior year's types and amounts to the Arkansas Secretary of State on its form. Failure to make that annual filing breaches ethical standards.

Unpaid license checks can trigger penalties

The state finance secretary may penalize an unpaid or partly paid check, draft, or payment order. This applies to payments for a Department of Finance and Administration license or fee. The penalty is 10% of the payment's face amount or $20, whichever is greater. It adds to other penalties.

Cash allowances limited for state workers

State workers cannot receive extra cash allowances unless they repay costs actually incurred or are specifically established by law. Covered allowances include uniforms, clothing, vehicles, transportation, meals, and lodging. A law authorizing another allowance must identify eligible employees and maximum amounts.

Earlier-year back pay limited for state workers

A state salary increase does not authorize back pay for an earlier fiscal year. Administrative-error corrections for that year must be requested within 12 months after the year ends. Approval comes from the Transformation and Shared Services Secretary, in consultation with the Chief Fiscal Officer.

Hiring restrictions for covered treasury jobs

The State Board of Finance and Treasurer cannot hire people with listed disqualifications for covered treasury positions. Disqualifications include specified convictions, felony-avoidance plea agreements, certain administrative orders, unjustified financial-disclosure filing failures, and conflicts violating board policy. The restriction applies to covered treasury jobs, not jobs with other employers.

State workers cannot represent compensation claimants

Full-time state and state-agency employees, and state-agency members, cannot represent claimants before the Workers' Compensation Commission. This limits representation options but does not change who qualifies for workers' compensation.

State workers face travel repayment limits

Covered state travelers face federal meal and lodging limits, a 15% meal-cost tip cap, and state meal-and-tip limits. Personal costs are not covered; unusual trips can receive special approval, and the Governor can modify limits during emergencies. Constitutional or elected officials, their employees, and official state guests generally have exemptions, with some statutory restrictions still applying. Private-car mileage reimbursement cannot exceed the IRS business rate unless another law provides otherwise; agencies can set lower rates. State-owned and leased vehicles are for official business; employees whose jobs do not require state vehicles must repay daily commuting costs at the agency's private-car reimbursement rate.

Businesses need lawyers for covered claims

Corporations and business entities bringing covered claims or actions must have an Arkansas-licensed attorney throughout the case. The requirement does not apply when the amount at issue is less than $2,000. Uncontested warrant-reissue requests and liquor-license-permit application fee refund claims are also exempt. Other covered business claimants can face added legal costs.

Capitol memorial sponsors pay upkeep fees

After legislative authorization, Capitol grounds memorial sponsors must pay the Secretary of State before construction begins. The fee is 10% of the monument cost and 10% of memorial-area construction cost, as applicable. Fees support upkeep, repairs, and related work on Capitol monuments and memorial areas. The Secretary can allow construction to begin with a dedicated fee source and proof that substantial project funds are raised.

Gift and commission limits for contractors

State contracting ethics rules ban specified gifts and job offers tied to contract decisions, including kickbacks to win subcontract work. People cannot hire someone, or accept hiring, to secure state contracts for commissions or contingent fees. Genuine employees and established commercial sales agencies are exempt from the fee ban. Before awards outside specified small-purchase procedures, bidders must give a written statement that no prohibited hiring occurred. That statement must appear clearly in contracts and bid requests.

Immigration certifications required for state contractors

Agencies cannot enter or renew service or construction contracts worth at least $25,000 with contractors knowingly using undocumented workers on the work. This includes knowing use by subcontractors. Contractors must certify before signing; covered subcontractors must certify within 30 days after signing their subcontract. Contractors must keep subcontractor certifications for the contract term. The state must allow 60 days to fix violations, then terminate uncorrected contracts; contractors owe actual damages.

Intentional state purchasing violations carry felony penalties

A person convicted of purposely violating state procurement laws in Title 19, Subtitle 4 commits a Class D felony. The penalty applies to intentional violations, not simply any purchasing mistake.

Lawmakers can halt federal program participation

The next regular legislative session reviews agreements the Governor makes after the prior session for new or expanded federal programs. Lawmakers can restrict or prohibit Arkansas's participation and stop state spending on those programs. Covered agreements then become void at adjournment, or on a later date set by law. Without legislative restrictions, participation can continue.

Legislative review before discretionary grant awards

Agencies generally must obtain legislative review before awarding grants whose recipient or award formula is not set by law or qualifying rules. The Legislative Council reviews grants between sessions; the Joint Budget Committee reviews them during sessions. Agencies can award emergency grants sooner but must immediately report the emergency facts. Grants worth $10,000 or less are exempt. Other listed exemptions include nondiscretionary grants and specified college scholarships or financial assistance.

River fund cannot finance bend changes

The Ouachita River Waterways Project Trust Fund cannot pay for cutting or widening river bends. This limits which river projects can use the fund. No funding amount or household effect is stated.

State agencies cannot contract with Arkansas Plan

The law makes agreements between state agencies and Arkansas Plan, Inc. null and void. A public servant who fails to follow this rule commits a Class A misdemeanor.

State officials face removal over finances

Agency leaders and responsible board members must follow the Chief Fiscal Officer’s directions on financial obligations and program commitments. Those who fail or refuse can face findings of official misconduct and removal through legal proceedings. The Chief Fiscal Officer faces the same consequences for missing required duties or deadlines. These rules apply to state officials, not households.

Public access limited for bond records

Records showing ownership of registered public debt or security interests in it are exempt from public inspection and copying. The exemption limits access under Arkansas public-records laws. It does not change the bond obligations themselves.

Disclosure and performance rules for tobacco programs

Appointed Tobacco Settlement Commission members must publicly disclose past or present tobacco-industry ties. Members and organizations they represent must disclose Commission ties when applying for chapter-funded grants or contracts. The Commission must monitor and evaluate the covered tobacco-funded programs. Programs need strategic plans and measurable short- and long-term health goals to support continued funding. State budgeting, accounting, spending-control, and purchasing rules apply unless the chapter provides an exception.

Annual cap on environmental education transfers

The law caps transfers under the specified funding rule to the Environmental Education Fund at $275,000 per fiscal year. The Division of Environmental Quality uses the fund for education materials and training. The cap applies to those transfers, not necessarily all money the fund receives.

State board members face work limits

Current and former special state employees cannot represent outside groups in matters they helped decide or advise on for covered boards. They cannot accept pay tied to results for helping parties in covered-board matters, except in court or similar proceedings. Former members also cannot lobby their former board's members or staff for one year after leaving.

Agencies and colleges face state loan limits

Agencies funded only by special revenues cannot receive Budget Stabilization Trust Fund loans. Other agencies must prove need and show that other money or resources are unavailable or cannot be obtained. A state-supported college's loan must be below 85% of its estimated monthly general-revenue guarantee. The state elementary and secondary education agency cannot request these loans to distribute money to school districts. It also cannot issue monthly district payment warrants from borrowed money earlier than the fifth day before month-end.

Agency cash spending needs legislative approval

Agency cash funds must be budgeted through separate legislative spending bills stating each expense's purpose and dollar amount. Beginning in fiscal year 2021, these rules also cover officers and agencies listed in Arkansas Code § 19-4-811. Distributions controlled by a court order or settlement agreement are excepted from that extension. Game and Fish and the Department of Transportation face legislative review and appropriation, rather than approval of expenditures.

Closed businesses face state contract restrictions

After receiving a final business closure order, the procurement office must tell agency clients to stop contracted work as soon as reasonably practical. It must also notify agencies that the contractor cannot receive or maintain state contracts while the restriction applies. An order is final after further administrative review is waived or all appeal rights are exhausted. Contract eligibility returns after the office receives resolution information and notifies agencies. An unexpired contract can continue if it was not terminated, cancelled, suspended, or discontinued.

Deficit agencies must stop new obligations

When depleted funds leave an agency unable to pay commitments without a deficit, the Chief Fiscal Officer can impose controls. These include suspending procurement exemptions and requiring approval before future obligations become valid. The officer may also require a financial-condition report. If the officer finds an existing or looming deficit, the agency must be directed to stop taking on obligations.

Federal programs need continued legislative support

Lawmakers can stop Arkansas's participation in new or expanded federal programs started through agreements between regular legislative sessions. If lawmakers restrict participation, the state cannot continue or spend state money on the covered program. The agreement becomes void at adjournment or a later date set by law. Participation can continue if the next regular session imposes no restriction. A state-authorized federal partnership program also ends June 30 after a regular session adjourns if lawmakers provide no appropriation.

Local aid depends on association audits

Cities, towns, and counties cannot receive covered state revenue distributions after spending local money on an unaudited in-state government association. This includes dues or service payments to municipal or county leagues and associations. Payments can proceed if the association has been audited by Arkansas Legislative Audit or has agreed to an audit.

Local aid first repays state loans

State stabilization loans are repaid before certain monthly aid reaches counties and cities. This applies when aid exceeds one-twelfth of estimated annual availability, subject to the statutory maximum. Remaining aid cannot fall below the lesser of that one-twelfth amount or the statutory amount. Aid-fund loans are due by June 30 of the fiscal year they are made.

Local governments must share paper purchasing

Every Arkansas city, county, and school district must join the state's shared paper-product purchasing program. The State Procurement Director must issue program rules. The law does not state purchasing savings.

Prison beef suppliers face origin-label rules

Processed beef purchased by the Arkansas Division of Correction must be labeled as being from the United States. Suppliers serving these purchases must meet the labeling requirement. The rule does not create a household labeling right.

Public design contracts face project limits

Covered design professional contracts are limited to time-critical minor projects and remodeling projects costing no more than $2 million. Architectural, engineering, and other professional services under these contracts must be competitively selected. Agencies must review the contracts at least yearly and adjust them based on past spending. Higher-education institutions exempt from the relevant review process must also follow these rules.

State agencies face spending and staffing limits

State agencies must report spending plans, revisions, and which general-revenue appropriations will absorb cuts. They cannot exceed the Chief Fiscal Officer's spending limit, which must protect available resources. The state must number and track authorized positions through agency reports. The shared-services Secretary can restrict position use only after finding financial difficulty and invoking required fiscal controls. When the account serving several agencies lacks money, national and regional association dues receive full funding first.

State agencies pay quarterly spending charges

Covered state agencies pay 1.5% of their qualifying cash-fund spending from the previous quarter to support central state services. The charge applies when the prior fiscal year's audit shows annual income or revenue above $25,000. Agencies must send a check to the Treasurer on the first day of each calendar quarter. Federal funds, trust funds, retirement-system funds, and voluntary donations to Arkansas Heritage are excluded. This charge falls on agencies, not directly on households.

State buyers need training and savings proof

Delegated state purchasing authority requires a written, publicly posted order that expires within two years. Recipients must complete procurement-law training before the order is issued. Delegation must stay within legal limits, and commodity- or service-based orders must be narrowly tailored; the director must keep records. Agencies seeking an exemption from a mandatory state contract must show that buying elsewhere is likely to save substantial money. The procurement director must approve exemptions in writing, but written denials are not required.

State construction faces financing and filing checks

Before hiring an architect or advancing construction or financing, agencies must submit project details, overall cost, funding plans, and dates. The Governor and Chief Fiscal Officer must approve financing; agencies may submit alternatives after rejection and update completion dates after awards. Matching-fund plans must count all available funds and approved grants, with payment procedures for money outside the Treasury. Covered contracts need Building Authority approval and filing before payment vouchers, plus time, scope, and cost estimates that cannot authorize extra work or pay. The University of Arkansas, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, Henderson State, Arkansas Tech, and Southern Arkansas are exempt from filing; other public colleges can qualify for approval and filing exemptions through Higher Education review and approval of their construction policies.

State contractors face compliance and funding limits

Contractors share responsibility with agencies for required contract terms, reviews, and relevant ethics laws. Service contracts covering designated jobs, including certain financial and technology positions, must require applicable registry and criminal-history checks. Agencies must use standard professional and consulting contract forms listing project, provider, payment, maximum obligation, funding, and term details. Forms also require a contractor certification about monetary benefits to state employees. Covered consulting contracts must end after the last funded two-year period when the state provides no funding for the next period.

State officials face spending limits and penalties

State authorities cannot spend, contract, or incur obligations beyond the approved amount for a purpose; conviction brings a $50–$200 fine. Agency leaders cannot allow maintenance spending beyond its appropriation. Conviction can bring a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, plus mandatory discharge. Outgoing elected officials can use only their time-based share of annual appropriations, except improvement or special appropriations and governor-authorized emergencies. Officials cannot transfer money between appropriation items with different purposes unless another law allows it.

State technology purchases require planning review

Before covered technology contracts are signed, required planning and technical information must go to the Office of Intergovernmental Services for review. The Office of State Procurement must ensure that submission happens. The rule covers contracts totaling at least $100,000, including amendments and possible extensions. It also covers technology purchases through cooperative purchasing agreements.

State-funded printers must use suitable soybean ink

Printing paid for wholly or partly with state-appropriated money must use soybean ink when two conditions hold. The ink must be comparable in price to other inks and equally suitable for the job. The provision does not specify any added printing cost.

Surplus property recipients can face charges

The Division of Emergency Management can charge agencies and other recipients for surplus-property costs and special federal services. Charges can cover administration and specified Revolving Loan Fund repayments. The division can collect unpaid amounts by withholding state money under its control. The law sets no charge amount.

Inmate claims get limits and correction time

People in Arkansas's correction or community correction divisions when filing a state claim get five pages for facts and arguments. They also get five pages for exhibits, with more allowed when needed to explain a complex claim. An overlong filing gets 45 days for correction or a request for more pages. Those 45 days do not count toward the claim's filing deadline.

Participant fees support community correction programs

The Community Correction Revolving Fund receives specified special revenues and fees or sanctions from participants in covered programs. Courts levy these charges, or the Board of Corrections authorizes them. The money supports continued or expanded community correction programs approved by the board and authorized by law. This provision sets no fee amounts.

Water connection fees support youth centers

People connecting to water lines installed under the specified 1961 act pay tie-in fees. Those fees go into a special State Treasury account. The money is reserved for future construction, repairs, and improvements at youth services centers. The provision does not set the fee amount or a spending deadline.

Background checks required for treasury workers

Covered treasury workers must undergo state and federal criminal background checks, including fingerprints, and consent to release of the results. Coverage includes listed staff and workers handling Treasury funds or helping make deposit or investment decisions. The Treasurer pays any check fee. The law set September 1, 2013, for existing workers; new workers are checked when employment starts.

Overtime pay rules for state workers

State agencies can pay overtime under rules consistent with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The Transformation and Shared Services Secretary sets eligibility and circumstances after seeking Legislative Council advice; transportation employees follow their director's determinations. If the federal act is held not to cover state employment, overtime requires a legislative appropriation. The Highway Commission can transfer specified overtime appropriations to regular salaries. It must report transfers to the Auditor and the Finance and Administration Secretary.

State purchasing staff need certification

The state purchasing director must create a training and certification program with tiered coursework and continuing education. State agency employees need certification to conduct purchases covered by the procurement chapter. The director must revoke certification after a finding that an employee knowingly violated state procurement laws. Participants can be charged a reasonable fee covering training costs, but no fee is required or amount set.

State worker payroll deductions have limits

State payroll deductions are allowed only for listed purposes, including taxes, retirement, insurance, specified dues, and contributions. Agencies must deduct and remit union or professional-association dues when employees authorize them in writing. A qualifying tax-deferred savings plan must exist when its deduction is requested. All deductions must follow procedures set by the Secretary of Transformation and Shared Services.

State workers face fiscal violation discipline

State agencies must investigate reported or discovered fiscal-law violations; agency directors or constitutional officers are responsible for compliance. Confirmed violations and required corrections go in the employee's personnel file, and the employee must receive notice. Employees have no more than 30 days after notice to act. Failure creates a presumption of a knowing violation that the employee may challenge. After investigation, notice, and a chance for a hearing, the finance secretary may warn, reprimand, suspend, or fire covered executive-agency workers.

Alcohol label fees fund safety work

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Fund receives a $15 registration fee for each brand label and brand-label size. It also receives other authorized revenues. The division uses the fund for education about alcohol laws, safety awareness, and enforcement against underage drinking.

Board purchasing conflicts face tighter oversight

Special state employees on qualifying executive-branch purchasing boards must disclose conflicts to the board head, subject to statutory exclusions. They must also report to the Arkansas Secretary of State within five business days of learning of a conflict. They cannot vote, view confidential materials, discuss, participate in, or influence that decision; lobbying-client and client-competitor matters also require stepping aside. Contracts, renewals, extensions, and amendments must state that the vendor did not influence a special state employee during procurement. Complaints can go to the Arkansas Ethics Commission, which can discipline or remove employees for violations.

Contract bans and protections for bidders

Procurement leaders can bar a person from state contracts for cause for up to three years. With probable cause, they can suspend the person for up to three months. These actions must serve the state's best interests and require reasonable notice and a chance for a hearing. A timely protest generally blocks contract signing while it is pending. A procurement leader can proceed after a written finding that delay threatens the state's substantial interests.

Counties get waste aid with conditions

County waste aid is divided 75% equally among Arkansas’s 75 counties and 25% by population. State retirement-contribution savings fund monthly distributions, with transfers capped at $5 million per fiscal year. Counties must submit system and budget information to the Treasurer by the fiscal year’s first day and fund at least 50% of operating costs. Aid can only establish, operate, and maintain county waste systems. Noncompliance costs counties next-year eligibility; they can reapply the following year with written assurances.

Local shelters get funding with deadlines

The Animal Rescue and Shelter Trust Fund gives 35% to qualifying counties and 35% to qualifying municipalities, based on population. Each must have at least one registered, government-owned animal rescue shelter. Local shares can only pay for constructing, maintaining, or operating those registered shelters. The remaining 30% goes to Rural Services Division grants limited to animal rescue or shelter infrastructure. Counties and municipalities must return money not used within one year of receipt.

Police equipment transfers can carry charges

The Law Enforcement Support Office can arrange federal transfers of excess military property to state and local law enforcement agencies. Eligible agencies must primarily enforce the law, and their paid officers must have arrest and apprehension powers. The office can charge agencies enough to cover Department of Public Safety administration costs. Unpaid charges can be collected by withholding state money under the department's control.

State bidding information has disclosure limits

Officials can request information before possible sealed bidding or proposals, but must publish the request like a solicitation. They cannot award a contract directly from that request. Responses remain exempt from public records requests until bids open, an anticipated proposal award is announced, or the procurement is dropped. Vendors attending solicitation conferences must sign in or register even when attendance is optional, and agencies must keep those records. Conference statements change the solicitation only through a written amendment.

State pays for county property reappraisals

The Arkansas Real Property Reappraisal Fund pays counties and professional reappraisal companies for legally required property reappraisals. This replaces funding from local taxing units. Payments are monthly unless the Assessment Coordination Division finds that required procedures are not being followed. The assessor or contractor has 30 days to correct the problem; another finding of noncompliance requires ending the contract. The provision does not set household property tax bills.

University invention deals allowed with safeguards

State-supported institutions can make qualifying contracts involving intellectual property shared with an employee or former employee. The exception allows their financial interests and participation without violating the specified ethics rules. The institution's governing board must approve the contract in a public meeting. The institution must file a summary with its president within 30 days after approval. Failure to file makes the contract void.

Agencies get limited year-end payment flexibility

State department expenses are payable in normal business; contingent expenses are payable as they accrue, without a fixed day-count deadline. Agencies can pay qualifying prior-year obligations for 45 days after year-end, with purchase records and receipts recorded by June 30. Late or undocumented payments use current-year appropriations and cash balances. Special appropriations without a stated period last two years, starting immediately with an adopted emergency clause or 90 days after adjournment otherwise. First-year balances can cover certain second-year goods or building repairs: goods need a formal-bid contract and an order at least 90 days before year-end; covered repairs need a written contract at least 90 days before year-end.

Agencies share purchasing contracts with exemptions

The state purchasing director can create mandatory shared contracts outside the director's exclusive authority when pooled purchasing benefits the state. These contracts require legislative review, and agencies must use them unless the director grants an exemption. The director must prioritize savings opportunities, seek participating agencies' input, and post purchasing-intent notices online. The director must promote contract use by cities and counties and set related conditions, reporting, or recordkeeping rules. No savings amount is stated.

Agency budget changes need tiered approval

Agency heads can request operating-budget changes with reasons; deviations below 5% and no more than $2,500 can receive fiscal-officer approval. Changes of 5% or more, or over $2,500, need Legislative Council advice first; total spending cannot exceed appropriations or funds. Transfers from capital outlay or data processing generally need legal authority. Capital-outlay transfers to data processing are allowed when the Division of Information Systems finds its services more cost-efficient. Written promotional-item requests must identify amount, appropriation, funding, item, and purpose; annual agency totals above $5,000 need Legislative Council review, or Joint Budget Committee review during session.

Agency shortfalls trigger spending and salary controls

During revenue shortfalls, state officers cannot take on obligations beyond available funds. The Chief Fiscal Officer can require reports, place spending under approval, order reductions, and withhold distributions for noncompliance. Agencies must stop new obligations when funds on hand or expected that fiscal year cannot cover creditors. Salary cuts must be proportional to existing pay and include all employees, administrators, and directors. Transportation, Game and Fish, Lottery, and funds under the constitutional general appropriation bill are exempt from this deficit-monitoring subchapter.

Agency spending plans must match revenue

Agencies need legal authority and an approved annual plan with quarterly forecasts before spending, hiring, or raising salaries. Covered appropriations stay unavailable until the agency complies. Revenue forecast changes require revised plans; overspending can also trigger revisions, with remaining funds blocked until approval. When expected income falls short, the Chief Fiscal Officer must notify the agency and reduce available appropriations. Teacher and public employee retirement-system appropriations for benefits, refunds, and Social Security requirements are exempt from the planning requirement.

Arkansas firms get utility project preference

Covered county or city utility projects must favor the lowest qualified Arkansas bid within 5% of the lowest qualified nonresident bid. A qualifying firm must maintain a staffed Arkansas office and have paid specified state and local business-property taxes for two successive years. At least one Arkansas firm must claim the preference in writing when bidding. The preference does not apply between Arkansas firms or where it conflicts with federal law on federally supported contracts.

Arkansas suppliers get prison bidder preference

This preference covers state product purchases with both an Arkansas private business and an out-of-state correctional institution bidding. The sole or lowest Arkansas bidder gets the award unless an outside private business underbids it by more than 5%. An out-of-state correctional institution must underbid it by more than 15% to defeat the preference. When the applicable margin is exceeded, the lowest responsible bidder wins. Bonding requirements still apply.

Bail bond recovery and fee enforcement

The Bail Bond Recovery Fund uses designated collections and other authorized revenues only to recover forfeited professional bonds. The licensing board must set disbursement rules and discipline rules for failures to pay, remit, or report fees. The Department of Finance and Administration can pursue delinquent fees and penalties from entities required to collect or remit them.

Bid protests bring rights and risks

A written solicitation protest is due at least 72 hours before responses are due. Award protests are due within 14 calendar days of the award or anticipated-award notice, whichever comes first. They must be copied to the intended awardee and state facts supporting a legal ground, such as unlawful conduct or evaluation error. A bidder denied the award who wins a protest can seek reasonable solicitation costs through the Arkansas State Claims Commission. Harmed bidders, offerors, or contractors can sue over protests that lack merit or are filed solely to delay an award.

Cities and counties receive scheduled state payments

Cities, incorporated towns, and counties receive aid-fund distributions within 10 days after each month ends. Municipal general aid follows the latest federal decennial or special census, with annexation and incorporation rules; county general aid is 75% equal shares among 75 counties and 25% population-based. General aid supports general local purposes unless the county quorum court directs otherwise; municipal highway money and special revenues follow applicable law. Covered employee workers' compensation claims paid from the state revolving fund are deducted from local general aid. A Revenue Local Tax Revolving Fund holds legally allowed city and county taxes collected by the state, which must return them at least quarterly without changing tax rates.

Coal mining fees fund state enforcement

Surface coal mining application and permit fees go to the Surface Coal Mining Operation Fund. The money can only administer and enforce the state surface mining and reclamation law. It can also pay the state's matching share for available program grants. This provision does not change fee rates.

Construction bidders face security and error rules

Construction over $50,000 needs weekly advertising for at least two weeks; projects above the quote-bid amount through $50,000 need one week. The last newspaper notice must precede bids by at least one week; agencies choose the lowest responsible bidder but may reject bids or waive formalities. Successful bidders need completion and specified liability bonds, with amounts set by Building Authority or the college governing board. Above the Arkansas Code § 22-9-203 threshold, bids without a cashier's check or corporate bid bond are void; bid-security liability is capped at 5%, and security is unnecessary at or below the threshold. Officials may reject a bid and release bond responsibility for clerical, calculation, omission, or typing errors causing serious financial loss—not judgment errors—with clear written proof and notice after opening within 72 hours of intent to award, excluding weekends and holidays.

Construction exceptions for roads and colleges

The Highway Commission and Department of Transportation are exempt from this state building-construction subchapter. Public colleges can choose an alternative construction process when private funding exceeds $5 million. That funding must cover at least 80% of estimated project costs, excluding land. Colleges must follow the alternative selection and contracting process. Listed licensing, safety, and accessibility rules still apply.

Contract oversight targets collusion and conflicts

Officials suspecting bidder collusion must report it in writing to the Attorney General and keep records until destruction is authorized. Records must be available on request; collusion allows debarment, and probable cause determined by the Attorney General or procurement director allows suspension. Before signing, contracts involving legislators, their spouses, or businesses either leads or owns more than 10% of require review. After department review, the Legislative Council—or Joint Budget Committee during sessions—reviews whether the contract is proper. The committee must send its review to the procurement and Ethics Commission directors within 30 days of receiving the contract.

Counties fund assessor training and oversight

Property-tax funds reimburse specified local audit and tax-assessment expenses. When money is short, shares are 80% for central services, 5% for the Public Service Commission Tax Division, and 15% for the Assessment Coordination Department. Money left after reimbursements goes to county aid each year; the Tax Division also receives its designated rolling-stock tax share. Each county must pay $600 yearly from assessor office fees for assessor education and related attendance expenses. If it does not pay, the state withholds $600 from county aid.

Large service contracts face performance checks

State agencies and public colleges must set objective, service-specific standards for qualifying service contracts. The threshold is $1 million in any contract year or $7 million total, including amendments and possible extensions. Agencies monitor performance, and contracts can impose financial consequences for failures. Serious failures require signed monthly reports until satisfactory performance lasts 90 consecutive days. Reports stay on file at least three years after the contract ends; agencies can also report problems on other contracts.

Public agencies choose professionals by qualifications

State agencies cannot use competitive bidding for legal, architectural, engineering, construction-management, or land-surveying consulting services. Local governments also cannot competitively bid financial-advisory services, and school districts cannot competitively bid construction-management services. Covered selections identify three qualified firms, choose the best qualified, and negotiate a contract. Local governments can skip bidding for other professional services only with a two-thirds governing-body vote. Building Authority procedures apply to agencies under its review, while exempt colleges follow their governing boards' procedures. Certain other qualifications requests need the State Procurement Director's approval as the most suitable method and Legislative Council review.

Public buyers get information with fees

Public purchasing units can request forms, manuals, specifications, supplier details, and contract information from the State Procurement Director. The director can charge for these services under a published fee schedule. When possible and consistent with efficiency, the director must collect state purchasing data on common goods and services. This includes type, cost, quality, and quantity; local data collection is optional. Public purchasing units can request the collected information.

Public energy contracts get limited extensions

Guaranteed energy cost savings contracts generally cannot last more than 20 years. Longer terms are allowed when covered measures have active warranties or a combined useful life exceeding 20 years. The longer term cannot exceed the applicable warranty period or weighted useful life. Contracts over 20 years require Arkansas Energy Office approval. These rules do not set household energy bills.

Road contracts get price and fairness limits

For covered construction manager-general contractor projects, firms paid to prepare a proposal request cannot bid or join the resulting team. Transportation officials cannot require experience with a particular purchasing method or favor a delivery method in scoring. Department and independent construction estimates stay confidential until the contract is awarded. Contractors must submit a guaranteed maximum price based on department contract documents; awards are allowed only at no more than 10% above the applicable estimate. If the director rejects the price, the department can negotiate or request more preconstruction services and a new price.

Rural broadband studies get conditional grants

Local entities can receive one-time grants for business studies supporting applications for specified federal broadband grants or loans. The studies must finish within 180 days after the grant arrives. Upon receipt, the local entity must file a surety bond with the Treasurer for the full grant amount. The bond assures that money is used for the studies. No grant amount is stated, and the grants do not guarantee broadband construction.

Schools and water groups access surplus

Arkansas Emergency Management can obtain and distribute federal surplus property to public agencies and other federally eligible recipients. Distribution must follow federal law, and rural water associations can participate in the program. The division can also buy surplus materials and equipment for tax-supported schools and districts. Schools must apply on division forms and pay the federal purchase price by cash voucher or warrant payable to the United States Government. Eligibility does not guarantee a property transfer.

Selected agencies gain their own purchasing powers

Transportation, specified public colleges, and the Division of Higher Education can choose agency purchasing officials. Their authority covers purchases outside the state director's exclusive authority and not under state contract, with legal limits and oversight for inadequate controls. Correction and Community Correction officials can have exclusive authority to buy perishable food. Correction's official also handles specified farm equipment, repairs, and parts under board and director supervision. Farm leases or purchases require a board study and approval by resolution; the board can choose a bid other than the lowest.

Small state purchases face anti-splitting safeguards

State procurement rules cover agency contract spending and disposal of state goods. Intergovernmental agreements and contracts between state agencies are generally excluded, except for the specified professional-services rules. Purchases of $20,000 or less can skip competitive bidding, but not for items available under a state contract; agencies should still compete purchases when practical. Agencies cannot split purchases to meet the threshold, including combined purchases over $20,000 from vendors with the same owner. Officials also cannot split service purchases to avoid legislative review or reveal their planned price before getting a vendor quote.

State agencies face annual budget checks

Covered agencies must submit annual program plans to the finance department by its deadline, before July 1 in regular-session years. The Chief Fiscal Officer reviews plans and may require revisions. Exempt entities include constitutional officers, legislative and judicial branches and staff, transportation, lottery, state-supported higher education, and Game and Fish. Officials responsible for state money must review programs every 12 months and make needed changes to preserve essential services within available funds. At least 30 days before each fiscal year, the Chief Fiscal Officer must estimate revenues, schedule distributions, and review budgets; the officer must control spending and warn agencies of threatened deficits or service interruptions, while agencies must immediately report unusual events harming special or federal receipts.

State bidders get explanations and confidentiality

Procurement officials must follow the state director's rules and explain decisions that a bidder cannot responsibly perform a contract. They can consider unreasonable delays in providing requested information. Bidder information generally cannot leave the procurement office or agency without written consent, except for specified disclosures to state officials. Officials can also require bonds or similar assurances under procurement rules.

State construction gets flexibility and funding limits

Construction commitments need sufficient funds on hand; federal grant projects also need the granting agency's final approval. Agencies can supplement construction appropriations with grants, donations, unobligated cash income, and other available money. Operating and personal-service appropriations cannot fund projects with specific construction appropriations, except minor repairs and maintenance under the stated rule. Improvement contracts can use available or expected two-year appropriations, but payments remain limited to each fiscal period's appropriation. The construction restrictions carrying a highway exception do not cover road and bridge contracts approved by the State Highway Commission.

State construction gets flexible but capped contracts

Agencies and public colleges may use job order contracts based on qualifications, wage rates, and a markup price matrix. Awards select the most qualified, best-value bidder, with fixed fiscal-year prices and no estimated-inflation multiplier. First-year awards last no more than one fiscal year and cap each job at $750,000 for agencies or $1.2 million for colleges. With required project reviews, satisfactory work, and agreed prices, contracts may extend at a new fiscal year's start to four years, then must be bid; added work must be awarded within the fiscal year. Agencies can supply cheaper state-contract materials without markup, and college filing exemptions follow the named-university or approved-policy rules.

State contractors face bans and closure rules

A court finding of a knowing state-law violation tied to getting or performing a state contract triggers a three-year contracting ban. A final business closure order also bars a contractor from receiving or keeping state contracts. The order is final once further administrative review is waived or appeal remedies are exhausted. The procurement office must notify agencies to stop affected work as soon as reasonably practical. Once the closure is resolved, the office must notify agencies that contracting access returns; unexpired contracts can continue only if not terminated, cancelled, suspended, or discontinued.

State contractors gain protections with payment limits

Later procurement rules cannot change rights, duties, or commitments in state contracts already in place when the rule takes effect. A rule-required clause enters a contract only with both parties' consent, which can be given after signing without an additional exchange. State agencies, including exempt agencies, can agree to interest and late charges only beginning at least 60 days after payment is due. Carrying charges are allowed under the procurement director's rules; the law sets no rate.

State contracts can last seven years

Unless another law says otherwise, state goods and service contracts can last up to seven years. The original term cannot exceed four years, and first-year funds must be available when the contract is signed. Later payments and work depend on available, appropriated funds; the contract must end if funding is unavailable. Contractors can receive the reasonable value of qualifying one-time costs not yet recovered. A written finding must show continuing needs and state benefit, with termination terms addressing cessation or surrender and repayment of accrued equity.

State contracts face limits and late charges

Agencies need an appropriation for payments from appropriated funds and sufficient funding, an approved federal grant, or expected funds for obligations. Contracts generally cannot require payments beyond the two-year budget period without an appropriation, except legally authorized multiyear contracts. Certain goods or services contracts also qualify through a written finding of continuing need and the state's best interests. All agencies, including exempt agencies, can include interest, late charges, or carrying charges under procurement-director rules. Late charges can begin only 60 days after payment is due.

State energy contracts pair savings with safeguards

Agencies can finance energy-saving projects through installment or lease-purchase agreements and use maintenance and operating funds for required measures. Measures count as energy-efficiency projects under Amendment 89 and must follow construction, environmental, and state procurement rules. Agencies must maintain the measures; providers must guarantee savings covering costs over the contract term and repay annual shortfalls. Agencies must require a payment and performance bond or similar protection before signing. The Pollution Control and Ecology Commission can set a reasonable administration fee; the law specifies neither its amount nor its payers.

State proposal talks gain fairness safeguards

Agencies can discuss proposals when the request allows it and purchasing rules are followed. If talks after the deadline require major revisions, every qualified offeror still in contention must get a final-offer opportunity. Agencies can also request and evaluate final offers before announcing the award. Written clarifications cannot add substantive terms or change a proposal, and a late reply can lead to rejection. Competing proposal details stay protected during talks until an expected award is announced. Private evaluators are optional, must follow state conflict rules, and generally volunteer; payment is allowed only when state expertise is lacking. Their use must be disclosed in the purchasing file and legislative review materials, and travel reimbursement is optional.

State proposals get clearer award rules

Agencies can use sealed proposals when sealed bidding is not practical and advantageous. Agencies cannot require past Arkansas state experience to submit a proposal. They can score that experience only if all offerors must provide references and the experience is within three years. Awards require a written decision using price, stated evaluation factors, final offers, and discussion results; unstated factors cannot count. Among tied qualified offerors, the lowest price wins, and agencies can negotiate with the selected offeror in the state's interest. Officials can cancel the request or reject proposals in writing, including proposals that fail mandatory requirements.

State purchasing exceptions require written records

Emergency buyers must get at least three bids unless human life or health is in immediate danger. They must record firms contacted, contact times, prices, and contact methods. The procurement director or agency head can bypass normal competition when an unusual situation makes it against the public interest. The official must document the reason and contractor choice and report these decisions monthly to the Legislative Council.

State purchasing gets price negotiation options

For purchases over $20,000 and up to $75,000, agencies can use competitive bidding or sealed bids. The lowest qualified bidder meeting the stated requirements wins. If three required bids are not obtained, forms must list three relevant sellers contacted or explain why fewer were contacted. Repeated purchases that evade limits or unjustified failures to seek bids can cost an agency its bidding privileges. Outside construction, certified negotiators can seek lower prices when bids exceed certified funding or further savings are possible. Talks start with the lowest qualified bidder, then can move to the next; negotiated prices cannot exceed the original lowest bid or earlier negotiated offers.

State remedies for unlawful contract awards

When a legal review finds an unlawful solicitation or proposed award, it must be canceled or corrected before award. After award, a good-faith contract can be approved if that serves the state's best interests, or it can be terminated. A fraudulent or bad-faith award can be declared void. Alternatively, the awardee can be required to perform and pay damages if that serves the state's best interests.

State reserves cover shortfalls with safeguards

Catastrophic Reserve Fund money can address unexpected general-revenue shortfalls or support economic development projects authorized by constitutional Amendment 82. Shortfall transfers require an official forecast of gross general-revenue growth below 3% over the prior fiscal year's collections due to economic changes. The Governor must find that the shortfall meets the fund's requirements. Written records must explain the emergency, amount, distribution, and lack of other available transfer funds. Both shortfall and project transfers need Governor approval and prior approval from at least two-thirds of the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. Transfers cannot push general revenues above Revenue Stabilization Law maximum allocations. A separate one-time transfer of up to $50 million to the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund was authorized before March 31, 2022.

State service contracts require payment safeguards

Agency heads must certify service needs, provider qualifications, no disqualifying conflict, reasonable terms, available funds, and total costs including extensions. The State Procurement Director has final approval authority and must seek Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee review unless formally exempted. Covered contracts must be filed before payment, and payment cannot cover work done before signing; unusual preapproval obligations can receive fiscal-officer approval after Legislative Council review. Agencies can use purchase orders instead of standard contracts when compensation, excluding reimbursable expenses, is no more than $50,000. Another contract with the same provider that fiscal year triggers prompt reporting of both contracts, regardless of amount or type.

State service funds receive limited revenue shares

Listed agencies' net special revenues use the same deduction percentage as net general revenue; other agencies use half that percentage. The Constitutional Officers Fund gets one-third of the 3% deductions from general revenue and listed agencies' special revenue. It also gets one-third of the 1.5% deduction from other agencies' special revenue. The State Central Services Fund receives designated revenues and deductions. Neither fund can receive sales and use tax receipts levied under constitutional Amendments 91 and 101; household tax rates do not change.

State vehicle limits include health exceptions

Listed agencies cannot use appropriated money for passenger vehicles above their individual annual limits. Limits cover purchases, leases over 30 days, operation, repairs, and servicing, but exclude personal-car mileage payments and health-screening or treatment vehicles. A governor-declared emergency is also an exception. Human Services is exempt from this section's limits and can buy vehicles using federal money and required state matching funds.

State vendors gain access and duties

Prospective state contractors must file their latest equal opportunity policy for public inspection before covered submissions or service-contract negotiations. Agencies and contractors must act honestly and follow reasonable standards of fair dealing in covered contracts. The state purchasing director can prequalify suppliers for particular goods or services, and solicitation mailing lists must include them. Prequalification does not prevent a later finding that a supplier is unfit; suppliers without prequalification can still be found responsible.

Struggling agencies can receive revenue sooner

The Chief Fiscal Officer can request early transfers from the Revenue Holding Fund Account before final revenue classification. The officer must find that benefiting agencies' finances are worsening and that an early transfer is needed. Transfers go to the proper State Apportionment Fund account. They cannot exceed 80% of estimated general or special revenues in the holding account.

Transportation contractors face project and work requirements

Transportation requests using the construction manager-general contractor method must state selection rules, scoring weights, scope, budget limits, services, and payment terms. Firms must provide credentials, bonding and insurance capacity, project history, bankruptcy information, and evidence of competence. The transportation department must prepare plans, specifications, and a detailed construction estimate. An independent estimate is required when the director requests it. The contractor must perform work worth at least 30% of construction costs, excluding preconstruction work.

Unused state construction money gets reassigned

Leftover Development and Enhancement Fund money is reassigned after a project's second two-year budget period ends. The money goes to new or existing state-agency capital projects approved by law. This rule does not limit lawmakers' power to fund those projects.

Local governments get short-term service loans

The State Board of Finance may lend available Treasury investment balances to cities, counties, and school districts. Borrowers must document five years of property-tax cash flow. The board must find current cash flow below the five-year monthly average and too low to maintain adequate services. Loans cannot exceed the measured cash-flow gap and must mature by the last day of the calendar year issued. Unpaid amounts may be withheld from the borrower's next state general-revenue distributions.

Banks face state deposit and fee limits

A bank cannot hold State Treasury money and securities above its total capital base. The Treasurer must use eligible institutions, except when another law or an authorized board resolution requires otherwise. The institution-eligibility rule does not apply to funds paying agents require for bond debt service. Bank and investment depositories can charge handling fees only when the Treasurer's contract allows; violating fee claims are void. Deposit balances cannot offset processing fees, and authorized fees are paid by state warrant from the Treasurer's appropriations.

Fees set for state bond payments

Arkansas banks paying state direct-obligation bonds receive fees, creating a public debt-administration cost. The interest-payment fee is 0.25% of interest paid. Principal fees are 0.1% on the first $100,000 and 0.05% on the next $900,000. They are 1/30 of 1% on the next $4 million and 1/40 of 1% above $5 million. Principal fees are split among agents based on how much each pays.

Flexible bond registration with possible transfer fees

Public issuers can establish, change, stop, or restart paper or electronic registration systems, subject to bond agreements. These rules apply unless the authorized issuer decides otherwise before or at issuance. Previously approved obligations need no new vote or hearing solely to use registered form. Before or at issuance, issuers can assign registration costs to buyers or sellers, pay from bond proceeds, or combine both. Issuers remain liable for unassigned costs and can set and collect fees or arrange reimbursement; no fee amount is set.

Public bank records face stronger oversight

Public entities must keep financial transaction records, and institutions holding their money must supply required documentation. Institutions must provide monthly statements and return canceled checks unless a written agreement allows compliant digital images or copies. For an audit or investigation, institutions must send requested records directly to Legislative Audit without delay or the entity's approval. Institutions are not liable for providing those records. The audited or investigated public entity pays the cost.

Public cash earns income with charges

The State Board of Finance can invest deposited agency, board, and commission money previously held as bank or investment-depository cash. Interest goes to participating interest-bearing funds, minus each fund's proportional administrative assessment. Prior-month earnings are distributed on the second business day the Treasury is open after the month's 25th day. The board can also invest specified federal funds like authorized state funds. Federal investment proceeds serve the same purposes as other money accruing to the Securities Reserve Fund.

Public deposits get safeguards and penalties

Money held by public officials in their role as commissioners is eligible for deposit in approved banks. The Bank Commissioner lists eligible, federally insured Arkansas banks and recommended deposit limits each December 1. Public deposits generally cannot exceed 25% of a bank's general deposits, excluding public funds; excess deposits need board approval and allowed security. An officer who knowingly exceeds the limit commits a felony and must be removed; boards can order deposits reduced. County officials must promptly deposit and prudently invest funds, while county and city officials must secure uninsured amounts through added agreements.

Public fund custodians protected after bank failures

Public fund custodians and their financial guarantors are not liable for losses caused by a designated bank's default or insolvency. This protection applies only when money was deposited as required by law. It removes that source of recovery for the public entity and does not guarantee repayment of lost money.

Public investment pool offers earnings with risks

The Treasury trust pools eligible state-agency, local-government, available Treasury, and Auditor-invested unclaimed-property money. Participants provide required account information and can withdraw up to their balance under board notice rules. They receive monthly earnings after charges, may pay reasonable fees, and bear losses caused by their withdrawals. The Treasurer must invest prudently, weighing safety and likely income. Securities loans require daily-valued cash or federally guaranteed collateral: at least 102% when lent and 98% of all securities on loan afterward.

Public refinancing gains flexibility and costs

Counties, school districts, improvement districts, and cities can replace bonds at a higher interest rate than the old bonds. The rate cannot exceed the maximum allowed by the law or constitutional provision authorizing the original bonds. State issuers can sell replacement bonds directly to the federal government without public advertising. Those sales must bring at least face value, with interest no higher than the old bonds' rate. Issuers can add required early-redemption premiums to replacement bond principal, increasing their debt.

Public retirement debts draw operating money

The Chief Fiscal Officer may transfer Treasury-held operating money for specified public entities to cover Social Security and state retirement obligations. The administering agency head must certify the entities, funds, and amounts due. Transfers may include penalties for late obligations. This collects program funding from public entities; it does not create a new benefit amount for workers or retirees.

Retirement investments get review and urgent exceptions

Covered partial-ownership investments using state retirement trust funds not appropriated by lawmakers require procurement office and Legislative Council review. Systems must disclose managers, ownership shares, reasons, duration, expected start and end dates, and requested terms. Boards can use an expedited process for urgent formation or major changes. A resolution must find an imminent need, financial soundness, and that passing up the opportunity conflicts with the board's duty of care. The resolution is due within five business days and agreement details within 30 days; individual benefit formulas do not change.

Stabilization money backs state investment losses

The Securities Reserve Fund absorbs qualifying losses involving the Securities Account or the Treasurer's bank-depository account. When the reserve falls short, the state fiscal officer must transfer enough Budget Stabilization Trust Fund money to cover the loss. This protects loss coverage but draws money from the stabilization fund. It does not create a household payment.

State investment options carry safety limits

The State Treasury can invest in corporate obligations allowed by its investment policy, under guidelines approved by the finance board. Each obligation needs ratings of at least BBB, A2, P2, or equivalent from at least two nationally recognized rating organizations. The Treasurer can lend Securities Account securities with collateral worth at least 102% of the security's market value at signing. Throughout the loan, collateral must cover at least 100% of all securities on loan, with its value checked daily. Collateral must be cash or securities guaranteed by the United States government or a federal agency.

State programs get repayable cash-flow help

The Budget Stabilization Trust Fund can advance money when pending federal funds and administrative, federal-delay, or fiscal-year conversion problems threaten serious program disruption and hardship. Agency directors must certify pending funding and the recoverable amount; advances must be recovered by June 30 that fiscal year. The Constitutional Officers and State Central Services funds can also borrow temporarily, with repayment due by June 30 that fiscal year. Human Services can borrow for Aging and Adult Services up to 80% of expected nursing-home bed-license fee proceeds available to that account. The Chief Fiscal Officer sets those loan amounts and transfer terms, and full repayment is due by June 30 of the year borrowed.

State reserves gain money and safeguards

Required transfers include $5 million yearly to stabilization, plus highway transfers of $1.5 million in fiscal 2017 only. Highway transfers are $20 million yearly beginning in fiscal 2018. On each fiscal year's last business day, required transfers and stabilization reimbursements come first; the remaining balance, minus $100,000, goes to catastrophic reserves. COVID-19 reserve releases require written or electronic approval from two designated House and two designated Senate members within two hours of notice. Special rules cover unavailable or recused leaders, including designees who can be deemed to approve.

State trust funds earn secured deposit income

Trust fund administrators must review cash needs and certify surplus money for investment in eligible certificates of deposit. When deposits cannot accommodate the money, other securities require administrator approval; earnings return to the originating trust fund. The separate State Treasury Certificate of Deposit Investment Program uses deposits maturing no sooner than 180 days. Participating institutions must meet Arkansas office or branch requirements and report board-required deposit, loan, ratio, and capital information. The State Board of Finance sets security requirements and interest rates, which cannot exceed applicable federal maximum rates.

Human Services gains controlled funding transfers

The Human Services secretary can transfer Title XX funds and spending authority to department agencies receiving those allotments. Transfers cannot exceed each agency's available allotment and must follow Chief Fiscal Officer rules. Unused transfers can return for reallocation, and line-item transfers cannot raise regular-salary authorization. The secretary and fiscal officer must establish accounts and procedures to reimburse eligible services; state matching money requires a legal appropriation. These funding rules do not change individual eligibility or benefit amounts.

Human services repairs face transfer limits

The Human Services Renovation Fund covers facility construction, purchase, renovation, upkeep, repairs, equipment, and repayment of federal funds disallowed. Facility-project transfers from specified divisions' general revenues are capped at $5 million yearly. A transfer-funded project must have been unexpected during the preceding regular legislative session. Waiting until the next regular session must cause greater harm to facilities, clients, or programs than acting sooner. Before a transfer, the Secretary's plan needs approval from the Chief Fiscal Officer, Governor, and Legislative Council.

Medicaid funds get protections and spending limits

Human Services cannot use Medicaid Expansion money to replace other available money in its Grants Fund Account. Spending requires legislative appropriations, compliance with state and federal law, and necessary federal Medicaid approvals. The department must keep separate paying accounts for federal-share drawdowns and state-share spending or other state matching funds. These rules do not change individual Medicaid eligibility or benefit amounts.

Tobacco money funds health and research

Each July 1, tobacco program money, excluding investment earnings, sends 15.8% to Targeted State Needs and 22.8% to Biosciences. Medicaid Expansion receives 34.2%. At each two-year budget period's end, unspent covered account balances return for July 1 redistribution: 23.1%, 33.3%, and 43.6%, respectively. Keeping money requires an agency director's written justification, the Chief Fiscal Officer's finding, Tobacco Settlement Commission certification, and Legislative Council review. The Tobacco Settlement Cash Holding Fund is exempt from the state cash-fund subchapter's rules.

School construction purchasing limit tracks inflation

Covered school construction purchases have a $1 million aggregate limit per public procurement unit each fiscal year. Each July 1, that limit is adjusted for the annual Consumer Price Index increase, capped at 3%. The Office of State Procurement directs the adjustment. Approval comes from the Legislative Council or, during a legislative session, the Joint Budget Committee. This changes public purchasing limits, not household payments.

School insurance funds gain protections and limits

The Public School Insurance Trust Fund can support only the public elementary and secondary school and school motor vehicle insurance programs. Receipts pay administrative costs first, claims second, and fund upkeep third. Fund money is exempt from deductions, taxes, levies, and other assessments. The law also cancels a $1.5 million initial loan between the two former school insurance funds.

Schools receive designated funds electronically

State fiscal officials establish an electronic payment system for school-fund categories chosen by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. Public school districts must accept these electronic distributions. A district with its own treasurer can choose delivery to that treasurer or the county treasurer. The state sends the district's state and federal funds to the selected treasurer.

State agencies finance unemployment benefit claims

State agencies pay experience-based unemployment contributions from payroll matching-cost funds within 14 calendar days after each quarter. Rates from even fiscal years set the next even year's rates; odd-year rates similarly set the next odd year's rates. The state fiscal officer may adjust rates for significant surpluses or deficits and must direct reimbursement of certified agency benefit charges. Shortfalls allow stabilization-fund loans, due June 30 of the first fiscal year after the loan year; municipal and county employee unemployment laws are excluded. Every state employee claim must be investigated, even without an agency objection; individual eligibility standards do not change.

State agencies pay injury fund contributions

State agencies fund workers' compensation awards through contributions from payroll matching-cost funds. Payments use experience-based rates and are due within 14 calendar days after each quarter. The state fiscal officer may adjust rates for significant surpluses or deficits. If an experience rate exceeds 2% for a full fiscal year, the agency rate becomes that rate, capped at 5%. The adjusted rate stays until the experience rate decreases and any accumulated deficit is repaid.

State purchases favor disability work centers

Agencies must buy needed, suitable, available goods and services from nonprofit disability work centers, subject to existing state-production exceptions. Agencies can buy goods elsewhere when delivery is not assured or another source is more than 10% cheaper. Work-center services can cost no more than 10% above the lowest outside price. Centers must apply, fill government orders, keep wage, work-hour, and sales records, and allow inspections. Annual reports are due September 1 for the prior fiscal year.

University employees get limited contract options

State agencies generally cannot contract with regular-salary or extra-help state employees for professional or consulting services, subject to a specified legal exception. Agencies can contract with organizations using public college employees to provide goods or services, with institutional approval and purchasing ethics compliance. Under institution-to-agency contracts, extra employee pay requires written approval from the Commissioner of Higher Education. Combined salary and contract pay cannot exceed 125% of the position's authorized maximum annual salary; agency directors and department heads cannot receive extra pay. Service contracts cannot give agencies day-to-day managerial control over providers, except for the stated Division of Information Systems exception.

Funding caps film and digital credits

Supplemental tax credits for digital products and motion pictures are limited to the industry development trust fund's certified balance. At the Commerce Secretary's request, the finance secretary certifies that balance to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The Treasurer transfers the certified amount to general revenue for authorized distribution on the first day of the following month. This provision does not state the fund balance or any business's credit amount.

Funding caps historic rehabilitation tax credits

The state ties approvals of major historic rehabilitation income tax credits to the money in a dedicated trust fund. By June 30, the finance secretary certifies the balance as the maximum credits Arkansas Heritage can approve for the next fiscal year. The Treasurer certifies credits claimed during the current fiscal year and transfers that amount to general revenue on July 1. This provision does not state the cap's dollar value or any taxpayer's credit amount.

Local sales receipts follow routing rules

A trust fund holds unidentified local sales taxes, collections from places without a tax, and specified vending taxes, decal fees, and penalties. Once the local jurisdiction is identified, its receipts move to the Local Sales and Use Tax Trust Fund. Specified vending-device tax money goes to cities and counties. When the fund exceeds $50,000, specified unidentified receipts and collections from no-tax jurisdictions move to state general revenues. This provision does not change household tax rates.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jimmy Gazaway
Republican • House
Joshua Bryant
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 226 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2025

House Vote - Wednesday, March 19, 2025 2:16:58 PM

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Senate Vote - Monday, March 17, 2025 3:34:27 PM

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2025

House Vote - Wednesday, February 26, 2025 2:24:36 PM

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Notification that HB1508 is now Act 419
3/25/2025House
Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
3/20/2025House
TO BE ENROLLED
3/19/2025House
Senate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.
3/19/2025House
Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1
3/18/2025House
Re-referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- HOUSE
3/17/2025House
Returned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1
3/17/2025House
Returned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .
3/17/2025Senate
Read the third time and passed.
3/17/2025Senate
Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
3/12/2025Senate
Re-referred to REVENUE & TAX - SENATE
3/4/2025Senate
REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/4/2025Senate
Amendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
3/4/2025Senate
Withdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 1
3/4/2025Senate
Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to REVENUE & TAX - SENATE
2/26/2025Senate
Received from the House.
2/26/2025Senate
Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
2/26/2025House
Returned by the Committee Do Pass
2/25/2025House
REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
2/20/2025House
Amendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
2/20/2025House
Placed on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
2/20/2025House
Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- HOUSE
2/17/2025House
Filed
2/17/2025House

Bill Text

HB1508 - Introduced
2/17/2025
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Act Version
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