All Roll Calls
Yes: 123 • No: 4
ArkansasSB242025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR
Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Funding for Arkansas wildlife agency operations
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law provides about $159.196 million for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission operations. Game Protection Fund money includes about $45.122 million for regular salaries, $1.892 million for temporary staff, and $16.456 million for related employer costs. It also provides $250,000 for overtime, $1 million for uniforms, about $54.729 million for operating expenses, and $517,727 for travel and conferences. Other amounts include about $4.071 million for professional services, $8.629 million for major purchases, $9.292 million for grants, and $17.239 million for construction. Commission rewards must come from this budget's operating-expense line; the law sets no reward amounts or new eligibility rules.
Funding improves access to Arkansas waterways
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law provides $6 million for the Marine Fuel Tax Program. Game Protection Fund money pays for Commission staff, operations, and work to increase and improve waterway access. This provision funds public access work; it does not establish a household payment or change a tax rate.
Funding restores Arkansas forests and wetlands
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law funds restoration through the Game Protection Fund. It provides $13.25 million to address hardwood timber destruction in the Black River Wildlife Management Area under the settlement. That money also covers staff and related employer costs for restoration work. Another $20 million supports Greentree Reservoir renovation and other wetland habitat restoration. These funds pay for conservation projects, not direct household payments.
Funding supports Farm Bill conservation staff
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law provides $659,581 for Commission work carrying out Farm Bill programs. Game Protection Fund money includes $479,508 for salaries and $164,143 for related employer costs. It also provides $1,350 for operating expenses and $14,580 for conferences and travel. This funds agency work, not new household payments or eligibility rules.
Gas lease budget funds disaster response
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law provides $5 million under the Commission's Gas Lease Revenues budget. This includes $3 million for disaster response and $850,000 for operating expenses. It also includes $350,000 for professional services, $750,000 for major purchases, and $50,000 for gas lease grants. The money supports Commission activities rather than direct household payments.
Conservation groups get hunger relief funding
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the law provides $150,000 from the Game Protection Fund for hunger-related grants. Conservation partners or other eligible groups can receive money for operating, equipment, and maintenance costs tied to statewide hunger needs. The law funds organizations, not direct household payments, and sets no household eligibility rules.
Wildlife agency spending flexibility has limits
From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the Commission can shift budget amounts within Operations or Gas Lease Revenues. Transfers require the state Chief Fiscal Officer's approval and prior review by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. This authority does not allow transfers between those two budgets or increase their totals. The Commission can also spend up to $50,000 from its Operations maintenance and general operating budget on promotional items. The Director must approve purchases, which must support fish and wildlife conservation or education.
Wildlife agency staffing and pay limits
For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the Commission can employ up to 647 regular staff. Regular salaries cannot exceed the rates listed in the law. It can also hire up to 185 temporary or part-time workers, with pay limited by state classification rules or this law. Through June 30, 2026, the Director needs prior approval for pay above 105% of the actual June 17, 2025 salary. The Legislative Council approves, or the Joint Budget Committee does while the General Assembly is in session.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Joint Budget Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/11/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, February 11, 2025 2:12:05 PM
Yes: 91 • No: 4 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 2/10/2025
Senate Vote - Monday, February 10, 2025 2:36:59 PM
Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB24 is now Act 56
2/17/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
2/11/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
2/11/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
2/11/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed.
2/11/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
2/11/2025HouseEMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
2/11/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
2/11/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the CALENDAR.
2/10/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
2/10/2025HouseOrdered Immediately transmitted to the House.
2/10/2025SenateEMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
2/10/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
2/10/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
2/6/2025SenateRe-referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
1/22/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
1/22/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
1/22/2025SenateWithdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 1
1/22/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
1/13/2025SenateFiled
1/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB24 - Introduced
1/7/2025
Act Version
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