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ArkansasSB142026 Fiscal SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Arkansas funds wildlife services and projects

The law provides about $162.2 million for Arkansas wildlife agency operations from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. This includes about $54.9 million for operating expenses, $9.6 million for grants and aid, and $17.7 million for construction. The Commission can move money within its Operations or Gas Lease Revenues budget after legislative review and state fiscal officer approval. Director-approved conservation and education promotional items are capped at $50,000; rewards must come from the Game Protection Fund's operating-expense line. Spending must follow available funding limits, state fiscal and purchasing rules, and the budget's stated purposes.

Arkansas funds forest and wetland restoration

The law provides $20 million from the Game Protection Fund for Greentree reservoir renovation and other wetland restoration. It also provides $13.25 million to address hardwood tree destruction in the Black River Wildlife Management Area. Black River funding includes related salaries and employer benefits and taxes. Both amounts cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and fund restoration work rather than household checks.

Boaters get funding for waterway access

The law provides $6 million from the Game Protection Fund to increase and improve access to waterways. The Marine Fuel Tax Program funding covers related Commission staff, operating costs, and access projects. It covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and does not establish a household payment.

Farm conservation programs get staff funding

The law provides $659,581 from the Game Protection Fund for the Commission to carry out Farm Bill Programs. The money covers program staff, employer benefits and taxes, operations, and travel from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. This supports program work but does not set household payments or change who qualifies.

Wildlife agency funds conservation and disasters

The law provides $5 million for the Commission's Gas Lease Revenues budget from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. This includes $3 million for disaster response and $50,000 for gas lease grants. The remaining funding supports operations, professional services, equipment, and other authorized conservation work, including land and conservation-easement purchases. This funds agency work, not a direct household payment.

Hunger relief groups get grant funding

The law provides $150,000 from the Game Protection Fund for conservation partners and other eligible groups addressing hunger statewide. Grants can pay operating, equipment, and maintenance costs tied to that work. Funding covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The law funds organizations rather than setting household benefit amounts or eligibility rules.

Wildlife director raises need legislative approval

The Director needs prior approval for pay above 105% of the Director's actual June 17, 2026, salary. The Legislative Council approves, or the Joint Budget Committee approves during regular, fiscal, or extraordinary legislative sessions. This restriction applies during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The act treats the restriction as inseparable for constitutional review.

Wildlife worker funding with staffing caps

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Commission can employ up to 647 regular workers and 185 temporary or part-time workers. Its operating budget includes about $46.7 million for regular salaries, $16.8 million for employer benefits and taxes, and $1.9 million for extra help. The law sets maximum salary rates, including $170,437 annually for the Director. Temporary and part-time pay cannot exceed the rate for the worker's job classification under state law or this act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Budget Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 122 • No: 4

House vote • 4/23/2026

House Vote - Thursday, April 23, 2026 11:41:20 AM

Yes: 88 • No: 4 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 22, 2026 1:40:10 PM

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that SB14 is now Act 75

    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.

    4/23/2026House

  7. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/23/2026House

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

    4/23/2026House

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

    4/22/2026House

  10. RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

    4/22/2026House

  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. Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

    4/21/2026Senate

  15. Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

    4/8/2026Senate

  16. Filed

    4/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB14 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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