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ArkansasSB12026 Fiscal SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SENATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Senate Efficiency

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Arkansas senators get orientation expense funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law provides $15,000 from the Constitutional Officers Fund for Senate orientation expenses. This includes daily allowances and mileage payments for senators who attend orientation before a General Assembly legislative session. The money supports participating senators, not households generally.

Arkansas Senate staff can earn more

Starting July 1, 2026, the Arkansas Senate can pay above normal salary limits to recruit or keep staff. This pay can exceed the maximum by up to 20%, for no more than one-third of authorized positions. The Senate can also exceed salary limits for merit-based pay adjustments in any authorized position. The law does not guarantee raises or set the size of merit adjustments.

Arkansas Senate can reuse unspent funds

Starting July 1, 2026, the Senate can reuse up to $4 million each from two funds for necessary Ninety-Fifth General Assembly expenses. These are the Constitutional Officers Fund and State Central Services Fund, limited to specified prior appropriations' balances on June 30, 2026. Budget transfers require the Senate Efficiency Committee and Secretary to find that money is no longer needed for its original purpose. The Senate must approve; the Secretary then certifies the finding to the State Auditor, who transfers the money. Spending must follow applicable purchasing, budgeting, financial-control laws and state finance rules, and align with stated budget purposes and materials.

Arkansas Senate funds computers and facilities

For the year beginning July 1, 2026, the law provides $700,000 to continue computerizing the Arkansas Senate's legislative work. It also provides $1.5 million for Senate construction, improvements, renovations, equipment, and other Senate purposes. Both amounts come from the State Central Services Fund. These funds support Senate facilities and operations rather than direct household benefits.

Arkansas Senate staffing and operating budget

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Arkansas Senate can employ 21 regular staff and two temporary or part-time workers. Temporary workers must be paid from extra-help funds at rates allowed for their job classification under state pay law or this act. The law provides $2.851079 million from the State Central Services Fund for staffing and operations. This includes $1.963896 million for regular salaries, $50,000 for extra help, and $587,183 for employer payroll taxes and benefits. Another $250,000 pays for maintenance and general operations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Senate Efficiency

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 124 • No: 1

House vote • 4/23/2026

House Vote - Thursday, April 23, 2026 11:23:01 AM

Yes: 90 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 22, 2026 1:36:17 PM

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that SB1 is now Act 73

    4/27/2026Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.

    4/24/2026Senate

  3. Reported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.

    4/24/2026Senate

  4. ORDERED ENROLLED

    4/23/2026Senate

  5. Returned from the House as passed.

    4/23/2026Senate

  6. Returned to the Senate as passed.

    4/23/2026Senate

  7. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/23/2026Senate

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

    4/23/2026Senate

  9. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the CALENDAR.

    4/22/2026Senate

  10. RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

    4/22/2026Senate

  11. Ordered immediately transmitted to the House.

    4/22/2026Senate

  12. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/22/2026Senate

  13. Read the third time and passed.

    4/22/2026Senate

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

    4/21/2026Senate

  15. Filed

    4/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB1 - Introduced

    4/21/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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